How to Create Your First Copilot Agent in SharePoint

By João Ferreira Nov 19, 2024 Copilot 0 Comments

Managing and accessing large amounts of information efficiently is crucial and SharePoint now offers a unique feature called Copilot agents. These AI-powered assistants help streamline workflows and enhance collaboration by providing quick and accurate answers to your queries based on the content in your SharePoint sites and document libraries.

What is a Copilot Agent in SharePoint?

A Copilot agent in SharePoint is an AI assistant that leverages the content within your SharePoint environment to provide relevant information and support. These agents can answer questions, summarize documents, and help users navigate through the vast amount of data stored in SharePoint. Available to users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license, these agents are designed to make your work more efficient and your data more accessible.

How to Create a Copilot Agent in SharePoint

Creating a Copilot agent in SharePoint is a straightforward process. Here’s how you can set up your own agent based on the content in your document libraries:

1. Initiate the Creation Process: If you have a Microsoft 365 Copilot license, you will see a “Create an agent” button in your document libraries. Click on it to start the process.
   
2. Initial Setup: Your agent will be ready to use based on the existing content in the library. However, to optimize its performance, click on “Edit” to fine-tune its settings.
   

   

3. Configure Identity: Define a relevant name for your agent, upload an image logo, and provide a brief description of what the agent will do. This helps users understand the agent’s purpose.
   

   

4. Select Sources: Although you started from a document library, you can use up to 20 sources for each agent you create. These sources can include other document libraries, folders, or individual files within SharePoint.
   

   

5. Define Behavior: Set a welcome message that explains the agent’s function and create three starter prompts to guide users on how to interact with the agent.
   

   

6. Save Your Changes: Click “Save” to apply the changes to your Copilot agent.

Once the agent is created, it will appear in your document library with the name you assigned, followed by the .copilot extension. Click on it to open the agent and test it.

To make your Copilot agent available to other users, click on the three dots at the top of the Copilot window and select “Set as approved“. Approved agents are chosen by site owners to be available in the agent picker of a site, making them accessible to all site visitors.

Accessing Your Copilot Agent

Currently, Copilot agents in SharePoint do not appear in the list of agents on the Copilot for Microsoft 365. To access your SharePoint Copilot agents, click on the Copilot icon located in the suite bar. Select the agent you want to use, and start asking questions.

By following these steps, you can create a powerful tool that leverages the content in your SharePoint environment to provide valuable insights and support to your team. Happy creating!