Copilot in Power BI: what it does and what it needs
Copilot in Power BI is an AI assistant that helps people ask questions of their data, summarize reports and draft report pages or DAX. It works in the service and in Desktop. However, it depends on capacity, tenant settings and a well-prepared semantic model, and those requirements change. So this page explains the basics and points to Microsoft's documentation for the current rules.
- Ask in plain language
- Needs suitable capacity
- Model quality decides
Last updated
What is Copilot in Power BI?
It is a set of AI features built into the product. A reader opens the Copilot pane beside a report and types a question in plain language. Copilot then answers from the report and the semantic model behind it.
Authors get help too. Copilot can suggest and create report pages, write a narrative summary visual, draft DAX queries and add descriptions to measures. So it speeds up routine tasks, while the author still checks the result.
Microsoft is still extending the feature. Some experiences are generally available, and others carry a preview label. Therefore confirm the status of any feature on Microsoft Learn before you plan around it.
Tasks Copilot can help with today
Microsoft Learn lists these abilities, although availability depends on your setup.
- Summarize a report page or a topic across the report
- Answer questions about data in the semantic model
- Find reports and other content you have access to
- Suggest and create new report pages
- Write and explain DAX queries for authors
- Draft descriptions for measures in the model
What does Copilot in Power BI require?
First, it needs the right capacity. As of October 2026, Microsoft documents that the workspace must sit on a paid Fabric capacity of F2 or larger, or a Premium capacity of P1 or larger. A Pro or Premium Per User license alone is not enough, and trial capacities do not qualify.
Second, an admin must allow it. A tenant setting controls Copilot and other features powered by Azure OpenAI. Also, the capacity has to be in a supported region, and extra settings apply when data would leave your geographic boundary.
These rules have moved more than once. So treat this section as a summary, and read the Microsoft article on enabling Copilot before you buy or change anything. Copilot use also draws on capacity, which the metrics app reports. For help with that groundwork, see Power BI Copilot readiness.
How to prepare a model for Copilot in Power BI
Copilot reads your model the way a new analyst would, so clear naming pays off.
Tidy names and hide clutter
First, give tables, columns and measures plain business names. Then hide keys and helper columns, because they distract the assistant.
Add descriptions
Next, describe each measure and the main columns. A short note on what a number means helps Copilot choose the right one.
Use explicit measures
After that, create real measures for the key figures. Clear definitions leave less room for a wrong guess at how to total a column.
Test with real questions
Finally, ask the questions your readers will ask and check each answer against a known figure. Fix the model where answers go wrong.
Where are the limits of the Copilot assistant?
Copilot can be wrong. Microsoft says plainly that without a prepared model, it may misread the data. So readers should treat an answer as a draft and compare it with the report.
Security still applies. Copilot works with the content a person can already access, and row-level rules in the model continue to filter the data. However, admins should still review which workspaces have the feature switched on.
Language and region matter as well. At the time of writing, Microsoft lists limits on supported languages and excludes some cloud environments. Since this list changes, check the documentation instead of relying on an older article.
Common questions about Copilot in Power BI
Is Copilot in Power BI included with a Pro license?
Not by itself. Microsoft documents that the workspace must be on a paid Fabric capacity of F2 or larger, or a Premium capacity of P1 or larger. A Pro or Premium Per User license alone does not unlock it, and trial capacities are not supported. We do not resell licenses, so we have no stake in what you buy.
Does Copilot work in Desktop as well?
Yes. Copilot works in Desktop and in the service. In Desktop, the author signs in and picks a workspace on an F2 or P1 or larger capacity, and needs write access to that workspace. Then the Copilot pane helps with report pages and DAX. Some items remain in preview, so check the feature status first.
Can Copilot see data a user is not allowed to see?
Copilot works within the permissions a person already holds. It answers from reports and semantic models that the person can open, and row-level security continues to apply. Still, permissions that are too broad become more visible once people can ask questions freely. So review access before a wide rollout, not after.
Why does Copilot give a wrong or odd answer?
The usual cause is the model, not the assistant. Vague column names, missing measures and duplicate fields leave Copilot guessing. For example, three columns named Amount invite a wrong pick. So clean the names, add descriptions and hide unused fields. Then test again with the same question and compare the result.
Can someone get our models ready for Copilot?
Yes. Power BI Agency reviews semantic models and prepares them for AI features. We are a small team within Sataware Technologies and independent of Microsoft. All work happens online in your own tenant, to a scope fixed in writing. The first step is a free 30-minute assessment, and we reply within 2 hours.
Let's build your first dashboard together.
Tell us what you report on today. A consultant replies within 2 hours with next steps.
Trusted partners
Microsoft Solutions Partner · AWS Partner
Cloud & AI Platforms
Azure SQL, Microsoft Fabric and the data pipelines behind your reports.
AI Business Solutions
Power BI reporting on your Dynamics 365, Business Central and Power Platform data.
Security
Row-level security and Entra ID sign-in on every report and workspace.
Amazon Web Services
Power BI on your AWS data, with connectors for Redshift, Athena and S3.