Copilot Studio, formerly known as Power Virtual Agent, has introduced several exciting new features. If you’ve heard of it before or even used it in the past, now is a great time to explore the new design and functionalities that make it easier than ever to build your own customized Copilots.

Accessing Copilot Studio

To get started, head over to Copilot Studio. Just like other tools in the Power Platform, Copilot Studio is environment-dependent. Ensure that you’re in the correct environment before building your Copilot. If you’re unsure about environments, check out related videos for guidance.

Creating a New Copilot

1. Navigate to the left-hand menu and select Create.
2. Click New Copilot to begin the setup.
3. Enter a brief description of how your Copilot will assist users. For example:
   • “This bot will help users get information about Pragmatic Works and the Power Platform.”
4. Define any instructions, tone preferences, or additional helpful details.
5. Optionally, add public websites as knowledge sources.
6. Click Create at the top right to finalize the setup.

Adding Knowledge Sources

A major feature of Copilot Studio is the ability to integrate knowledge sources. This enables the bot to pull data from various sources to provide accurate responses.

Adding a Public Website

1. Go to the Knowledge section.
2. Select Add Knowledge.
3. Choose Public Website and enter the URL (e.g., systemadminspro.com).
4. Click Add to integrate the website into your knowledge base.
5. The system may take some time to process the information, so check the Knowledge Status to ensure it’s ready.

Adding a File as a Knowledge Source

1. Instead of a website, you can upload a file.
2. The file is stored in Microsoft Dataverse and used by the Copilot to extract information.
3. Supported file types include text-based formats such as PDFs and Word documents.
4. Once uploaded, check the Knowledge Status to confirm it’s ready for use.

Testing the Knowledge Source

After adding knowledge sources, you can test your bot in the Test Pane:

1. Enter a question that can be answered using the uploaded knowledge sources (e.g., “What is CT XP?”).
2. The Copilot will retrieve information from the web page or document.
3. A reference link is provided to verify the source.
4. The bot also displays the flow of conversation, showing where responses originated.

Configuring AI and Generative Responses

1. Go to Settings in the top right.
2. Rename your bot (e.g., “My Personal Virtual Assistant”).
3. Enable Generative AI, which allows the Copilot to create responses based on available data.
4. Adjust Content Moderation settings:
   • High: Fewer but more accurate responses.
   • Medium/Low: More responses with varying accuracy.
5. Save changes.

Security and Authentication

Before publishing your bot, configure authentication settings:

1. Go to Security > Authentication.
2. Select the type of authentication needed for user access.
3. Stay tuned for future deep-dive guides on authentication options.

Publishing Your Copilot

Once your bot is ready:

1. Click Publish in the top right.
2. Choose where to deploy it (e.g., Teams, Power Apps, a public/custom website).
3. Check the Publish Status at the bottom of the screen.

Deploying to Channels

After publishing, configure the deployment:

1. Go to Channels.
2. Based on your authentication settings, select an available platform (e.g., Teams, a public website, etc.).
3. If “No Authentication” is selected, multiple options will appear.

Conclusion

Copilot Studio offers improved access to knowledge sources, enhanced generative AI capabilities, and streamlined bot-building processes. Whether using websites, files, or enterprise data sources, you can create a powerful, customized Copilot with ease. Stay tuned for future deep dives into authentication, AI integrations, and advanced features within Copilot Studio!