What Can Copilot Do in Power Automate? Unleashing AI-Powered Automation

In this insightful video, Amelia Roberts—affectionately known as the “Co-Pilot Queen” at Pragmatic Works—shares her beginner-friendly journey into Power Automate and how Microsoft’s Copilot is transforming the way users build automated workflows. Coming from a Power BI and Copilot Studio background, Amelia offers a fresh perspective on how Copilot simplifies automation for new users.

Understanding Power Automate and Copilot

Power Automate is Microsoft’s tool for automating workflows across various applications and services. It allows users to streamline repetitive tasks, saving time and reducing manual errors. Copilot, Microsoft’s AI assistant, enhances this experience by helping users build flows using natural language prompts.

Amelia emphasizes that Copilot is not just a tool for experts—it’s a learning companion that helps users understand automation logic while building useful workflows.

Scenario 1: Automating Welcome Emails for New Hires

Amelia walks through a practical example: sending a weekly welcome email to new hires listed in a SharePoint list. Here’s how she sets it up:

1. She opens Power Automate and selects the option to create automation with Copilot.
2. Using a natural language prompt, she types: “Every week send an email for each item in a SharePoint list.”
3. Copilot suggests several templates. Amelia carefully reviews them and selects the one that best matches her needs: “Depending on the items in a SharePoint list, send an email every week.”
4. Copilot generates a flow with the following structure:
   • Trigger: Recurrence (set to weekly)
   • Action: Get items from SharePoint
   • Action: For each item, send an email

She customizes the recurrence to run every Monday at 3:00 PM and fills in the SharePoint site address, list name, and email content. Copilot even helps her adjust the schedule with a simple prompt: “Make this run every Monday at 3:00 PM.”

Scenario 2: Notifying Teams When a New File is Added to OneDrive

In a second example, Amelia demonstrates how to create a workflow that sends a Teams message when a new file is added to a OneDrive folder. The message includes the file name and a link to the file.

1. She types a detailed prompt: “Create a workflow that sends an email notification to the team whenever a new file is added to the project documents folder in OneDrive. Include the file name and a link to the file.”
2. After reviewing several template suggestions, she selects one that avoids SharePoint and focuses on OneDrive and Teams integration.
3. Copilot generates a flow that:
   • Triggers when a new file is created in OneDrive
   • Initializes a variable
   • Posts a message to a Teams chat or channel

Amelia uses Copilot again to refine the message by asking it to “Add a card to send a message in Teams chat or channel with the variable included in the message.” Copilot offers two options, and she selects the one that best fits her needs. The result is a working flow that notifies her team in real time.

Why Copilot is a Game-Changer

Amelia highlights several reasons why Copilot is a powerful tool for Power Automate users:

• Beginner-Friendly: Copilot helps users learn by doing, offering suggestions and templates that guide them through the process.
• Time-Saving: Automations that once took hours can now be built in minutes using natural language prompts.
• Customizable: Users can fine-tune flows with specific parameters and ask Copilot to make changes on the fly.
• Versatile: From email automation to Teams notifications, Copilot supports a wide range of use cases.

Final Thoughts

Amelia encourages viewers to explore more Power Automate content on the Pragmatic Works YouTube channel and their on-demand learning platform. Whether you're just starting out or looking to deepen your automation skills, Copilot in Power Automate is a valuable ally.

Don't forget to check out the Pragmatic Works' on-demand learning platform for more insightful content and training sessions on Copilot nd other Microsoft applications. Be sure to subscribe to the Pragmatic Works YouTube channel to stay up-to-date on the latest tips and tricks.