Power Apps and Copilot — Low Code, No Code, Smart Code

Recently, Microsoft began introducing its generative AI tool, Copilot, into each of the Microsoft Power Platform’s components, and we’re breaking down each introduction in this series of Copilot for Power Platform posts.

Microsoft Power Apps is a suite of low-code and no-code development tools that allows you to create custom business applications and automate workflows. It is part of the larger Power Platform ecosystem, which also includes Power BI for business analytics, Power Automate for workflow automation, Power Pages for web development, and Power Virtual Agents for creating chatbots. Here, we discuss how Copilot for Power Apps does double duty on the efficiency scale, benefiting both developers and users of the applications it helps create.

Copilot Speeds and Simplifies App Development

Using the natural language processing capabilities of Copilot with Power Apps, you can now build an app, including the data behind it, simply by describing what you need through multiple rounds of conversation. Just as you may be using Copilot in Microsoft 365, or your teenager uses the new Bing or ChatGPT for their high school essay, with Copilot in Power Apps, you just type in a plain English description of what you want, review the result, tweak things a bit (or a lot), and carry on. In this case, Copilot builds a responsive Canvas Apps application, and through the processing of building, it creates a Dataverse Table with columns and populated sample data.

We see the introduction of Copilot into Power Apps as something of a tectonic shift. If you can describe your app, you can build it. It puts tremendous power and functionality in the hands of everyday users. For a simple, practical look at how a typical, non-programmer type might use Copilot in Power Apps, check out this article from Microsoft Power Platform guru Amber Weise.

Copilot Gets Users on the Right Path

Above, we shared how Copilot for Power Apps helps you quickly build, finesse, and launch new applications — but there’s one more stop on Copilot’s journey through Power Apps.

Using Copilot, your apps can have copilot-powered experiences built in from the start, so users can discover insights by asking simple, natural language questions. You choose whether to add this control to any app and what data it can answer questions about. Think of it as a chatbot just for your app!

There’s More to Come

We see Copilot for Power Apps as a game-changing new tool that will simplify your development team’s job and enhance your users’ experience, and there’s likely much more to come. Below are some potential ways Copilot could change app development going forward.

Data Integration and Validation

Copilot could help streamline data integration and validation processes. It can generate code to connect Power Apps to various data sources, validate user inputs, and ensure data accuracy. For example, when designing an order entry app, you can rely on Copilot to guide you through connecting to your CRM database, setting up data validation rules, and automating order calculations.

Dynamic User Interfaces

Copilot could assist in creating dynamic user interfaces. Describe your app’s user interface requirements, and Copilot will generate code for responsive layouts and interactive elements. Let’s say you need a dashboard with real-time graphs and charts for your analytics app. Just describe the data visualization you want, and Copilot will generate the code to make it happen.

AI-Driven Insights

Copilot could help with the creation of AI-driven recommendation engines. Simply describe your app’s recommendation requirements, and Copilot will help you integrate machine-learning models for personalized suggestions. Let’s say you’re building an e-commerce app. Describe your needs to Copilot, and it can guide you in implementing a recommendation engine that suggests products to users based on their browsing and purchase history, ultimately boosting sales and enhancing the user experience.

Error Handling and Troubleshooting

Copilot could guide you through error handling and troubleshooting processes. Describe the potential issues you anticipate, and Copilot will suggest best practices for handling errors gracefully. For example, as you create a survey app, Copilot can help you implement error-handling logic to ensure that users receive appropriate feedback for incomplete or incorrect survey submissions.

Bringing It All Together

By integrating Copilot into your Microsoft Power Apps development process, you can accelerate app creation, reduce development effort, foster innovation, and improve the user experience. Copilot bridges the gap between your app ideas and their realization, making the development journey more accessible to a broader range of users. Velosio is here to help you pilot your Copilot journey. We’ve got tools, resources, and expertise ready. Contact us, and we’ll get you the information you need.

Note: Copilot for Microsoft Power Apps is currently in private preview mode. Keep an eye out for updates from us, as this is one to follow.