Posts

Copilot Studio Tools: A Practical Guide (Using This Chat as a Case Study)

Modern copilots must act, not just chat. Copilot Studio Tools (Actions) enable an agent to invoke flows, call APIs, query data, and write to systems with governed inputs and outputs. Properly engineered Tools improve reliability, traceability, and user outcomes. This article defines Tools, explains how to connect them to your Copilot, details observability and error handling, and provides design guidance for production-grade implementations. What are Copilot Studio Tools? Tools (also called Actions) are typed, parameterized operations a Copilot can call at runtime. Each Tool declares its purpose, inputs, outputs, and authentication context so the agent can decide when and how to use it safely. Common Tool categories include: Power Automate flow actions: Rapid composition over Microsoft and third-party connectors. Custom connectors / OpenAPI endpoints: HTTP/JSON services with defined schemas. Dataverse actions/queries: CRUD and lookups with security trimming. Micro...

Creating Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down Feedback in Copilot Studio with Adaptive Cards and Storing Data in Dataverse Using Power Automate

Providing users with an easy way to give feedback is crucial for improving the performance and user experience of your AI copilot. In this blog post, we'll walk you through the steps to create a thumbs up and thumbs down feedback mechanism using Adaptive Cards in Copilot Studio and store the feedback in Microsoft Dataverse using Power Automate with a Power Virtual Agent trigger. What are Adaptive Cards? Adaptive Cards are a way to present and collect information in a flexible and visually appealing manner. They are platform-agnostic snippets of UI that can be integrated into various applications, including chatbots created with Copilot Studio. Step-by-Step Guide Step 1: Set Up Your Copilot in Copilot Studio Create Your Copilot : Use Copilot Studio to design and configure your AI copilot. Define its capabilities, responses, and integrations. Test your copilot within Copilot Studio to ensure it works as expected. Navigate to the Adaptive Cards Section : In Copilot Studio, go to the s...

Detailed Guide to Embedding Copilot Studio in a Custom Website

  Embedding Copilot Studio into your custom website can enhance user interaction by providing AI-driven assistance directly within your web environment. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to achieve this: Step 1: Prepare Your Copilot in Copilot Studio Create Your Copilot : Use Copilot Studio to design and configure your AI copilot. Define its capabilities, responses, and integrations. Test your copilot within Copilot Studio to ensure it works as expected. Configure Authentication Settings : Navigate to Settings > Security > Authentication in Copilot Studio. Decide on the authentication type: No Authentication : Ideal for external websites where anyone can use the copilot. Authentication Required : Use this for internal tools or scenarios where sensitive information is involved. Save your settings after making the selection. Step 2: Generate the Embedding Code Access Embed Options : In Copilot Studio, navigate to the deployment or integration section where you can generate...

Customizing the appearance of your Copilot

Customizing the appearance of your Copilot involves modifying its visual elements to match your website's design and user experience. Here’s a detailed guide on how to achieve this: Steps to Customize the Copilot's Appearance Step 1: Access the Embed Code Generate Embed Code : In Copilot Studio, navigate to the deployment or integration section where you can generate the embed code for your copilot. Copy the generated embed code to the clipboard. Step 2: Modify the HTML and CSS HTML Integration : Paste the embed code into the HTML of your website where you want the copilot to appear. Ensure the embed code is placed correctly within your website’s structure, typically within the <body> tag. CSS Customization : Use CSS to style the copilot interface to match your website’s theme. You can adjust colors, fonts, sizes, and other visual elements. Example Code Snippet Here’s an example of how you might customize the appearance of the copilot: <!DOCTYPE html> <html lang...

Integrating Copilot Studio with SharePoint Using Single Sign-On (SSO)

Integrating Copilot Studio with SharePoint using Single Sign-On (SSO) enhances the user experience by allowing seamless access to AI-driven assistance without repeated logins. Here’s a detailed guide on how to achieve this integration: Overview Copilot Studio allows you to create custom AI copilots that can be deployed across various platforms, including SharePoint. By leveraging SSO, users can interact with these copilots without needing to re-authenticate, streamlining the process and improving efficiency. Key Steps for Integration Prerequisites: Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) : Administrative access to configure authentication. SharePoint Online : Access to the SharePoint site where the copilot will be deployed. Copilot Studio Environment : A configured copilot that you want to integrate. Development Tools : Installed tools like Visual Studio Code, Node.js, and PowerShell. Create an App Registration in Microsoft Entra ID: Sign in to the Azure portal using an admin account i...

Comparison of Copilot Studio, Azure AI Studio, and Microsoft 365 Copilot

Copilot Studio Overview: User-Friendly Interface : Designed for non-developers with a low-code environment, making it accessible to a broader audience. Integration : Seamlessly integrates with Microsoft products like Microsoft 365, enhancing the user experience. Customization : Allows for the creation and extension of custom copilots with over 1500 connectors, including non-Microsoft systems like Salesforce and ServiceNow. Deployment : Ideal for businesses needing fast deployment of AI features due to its straightforward setup process. Target Audience : Best suited for businesses already utilizing Microsoft platforms and seeking quick, easy-to-deploy solutions without requiring deep AI expertise. Key Features: Low-Code Development : Provides a low-code environment for building custom AI agents with workflow automation, external integrations, and more control over business logic. Generative AI Capabilities : Incorporates generative AI capabilities into its functionality, enabling featur...

Power Apps: Modern Controls vs. Classic Controls – A Comprehensive Comparison

 In the realm of Power Apps, the evolution from classic to modern controls marks a significant milestone, enhancing user experiences and development processes. This shift not only reflects Microsoft's commitment to innovation but also addresses the growing demands for more intuitive, efficient, and visually appealing applications. In this blog, we'll delve into the differences between modern and classic controls in Power Apps, exploring their functionalities, user experience, performance, and customization capabilities. In the realm of Power Apps, the evolution from classic to modern controls marks a significant milestone, enhancing user experiences and development processes. This shift not only reflects Microsoft's commitment to innovation but also addresses the growing demands for more intuitive, efficient, and visually appealing applications. In this blog, we'll delve into the differences between modern and classic controls in Power Apps, exploring their functionalit...