Angelica Choo Quan demonstrates how Power BI Copilot can dramatically simplify the report-building process. Instead of getting stuck in design decisions, Copilot acts as a smart assistant that suggests, generates, and even explains visuals based on your dataset.
Getting Started with Copilot
- Before using Copilot, ensure it is enabled in your Microsoft Fabric tenant settings.
- Settings must be configured by the tenant admin; full documentation links are provided by Angelica for guidance.
- Once enabled, launch the Copilot pane from the ribbon in Power BI Desktop.
Sample Dataset and Model Overview
The demonstration uses the Adventure Works dataset, which includes:
- FactInternetSales table
- Dimension tables like Product, Customer, Date, and Sales Territory
- Proper relationships are built using keys to enable accurate visuals
Key Copilot Capabilities Demonstrated
1. Suggest Content for a New Report Page
- Copilot suggested a "Customer Demographics" page
- Automatically generated visuals included:
- Card visuals for income and customer count
- Line charts for income by age
- Slicers for marital status and gender
- Some visuals, like a pie chart, were identified as less effective and removed
2. Creating a Sales Performance Page
- Generated with 9 visuals including:
- Cards for total sales, order quantity, and discount amount
- Slicers by calendar year
- Ability to modify and remove underperforming visuals
- Reorganizing and resizing visuals improves readability and layout
3. Asking a Question About Your Data
- Angelica asked: "What are the top 10 products by sales amount and region?"
- Copilot returned a visual and full explanation:
- Used table names and filters
- Clarified how it derived results
- Users can then choose to add this visual to their report page and customize it
Strengths and Limitations of Copilot
- Strengths:
- Saves time during the design phase
- Reduces decision fatigue
- Provides a strong starting point for report creation
- Limitations:
- Not always perfect—manual edits and visual refinements are often needed
- Depends on clean, well-structured datasets
Conclusion
Copilot is a powerful ally in the Power BI development process. It’s not a replacement for skilled design and analysis, but it gives users a much-needed head start, especially when faced with blank page syndrome or tight deadlines. Whether you’re building demographic insights, sales dashboards, or product analysis pages, Copilot helps reduce time spent on layout decisions so you can focus on delivering value.
Don't forget to check out the Pragmatic Works' on-demand learning platform for more insightful content and training sessions on Power BI Copilot and other Microsoft applications. Be sure to subscribe to the Pragmatic Works YouTube channel to stay up-to-date on the latest tips and tricks.