AI in Power BI: what does Copilot add?
It's Tuesday morning and the CFO wants to know why the margin dropped last quarter before the ten o'clock meeting. Normally, that means a request to the analyst and waiting until the end of the day. With Copilot in Power BI, you can ask that question in plain language and receive an initial answer or summary back.
What does Copilot add to Power BI?
Copilot supports you at various moments while working with Power BI. You can use it to:
- summarize a report;
- answer questions about your data;
- set up an initial report page based on a description;
- help an analyst write DAX formulas.
The biggest time savings come from manual and repetitive work. Tasks that require context, interpretation, or a substantive judgment remain human work.
What it depends on
How well Copilot responds depends on your data model. If 'revenue' has multiple definitions, the answer may vary depending on the question asked. Additionally, you need paid Fabric capacity starting from F2 or Power BI Premium from P1; a Pro or PPU license alone is not sufficient. Check the current availability per application: some features are generally available, while others are still in preview.
How to approach this
- Build on your existing environment. Add Copilot to your current Power BI environment instead of creating a separate AI project.
- Create a single data model suitable for AI. Start with a commonly used model. Give tables and calculations clear names and descriptions, and define important definitions unambiguously.
- Start with a defined pilot. Choose one recurring process, such as the monthly analysis of differences between budget and actuals. Determine in advance which answers you will verify and what constitutes a useful result.
- Teach your team to work critically with Copilot. Train users to ask targeted questions, verify outcomes, and recognize when human interpretation is still needed.
Copilot gets more out of Power BI, but only if the foundation is in order. That's why Axelio helps you not only with a well-structured data platform and a targeted pilot but also with adoption. Through Axelio Academy, controllers and analysts learn to use Copilot effectively and critically. As a Microsoft Solutions Partner, we combine technology, implementation, and training.
Discover what your organization can achieve with Copilot in Power BI
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