Using Copilot and Fabric Data Agent to Unlock Structured Data
When it comes to getting real value out of all that structured data sitting in enterprise systems, Microsoft is betting big on Copilot in Fabric, powered by the Fabric Data Agent. But what does that mean for you, your data, and how you work with it? Let’s break it down.
Copilot Integrated in Fabric
Copilot isn’t just another chatbot. Integrated with Fabric, is set up to act as your data-savvy assistant. It can help business users and data pros alike query structured data, generate reports, and discover insights all through natural language.
That’s where the Fabric Data Agent comes in: think of it as Copilot’s “translator,” connecting Copilot to your structured data sources, whether they’re in the cloud or on-premises. The agent understands the nuts and bolts of your data, making it possible for Copilot to fetch exactly what you ask for (and sometimes what you didn’t know to ask for!).
Just a few weeks ago, I wrote an article called Why Unstructured Data Files Are the Best Fit For Copilot Studio, where I explained the fundamentals of why structured tabular data is not a good source of knowledge for any GenAI tool. Now, we have Copilot for Fabric, which leverages ‘text-to-sql’ capabilities to translate natural language into SQL or DAX query statements, executed against a semantic model. This is awesome!
Why the Semantic Model Matters (A Lot)
Here’s the secret sauce: the semantic model. This is the layer that gives structure, meaning, and business context to raw data. If your semantic model is robust and high-quality, Copilot can answer questions with confidence—not just regurgitate numbers but offer real insights.
A good semantic model:
- Defines business logic and relationships
- Clarifies ambiguous terms (“revenue” means the same thing everywhere!)
- Makes your data accessible to everyone, not just the data wizards
If the model is messy or incomplete, Copilot will be limited, and users may get misleading or incomplete answers. Simply put, your Copilot is only as smart as your semantic model.
Best Practices for Adding Metadata
Metadata is the behind-the-scenes hero. It’s the information about your data—think descriptions, data types, units, relationships, owner info, and more. Here are some tips to make your semantic model shine:
- Be descriptive: Add clear, plain-language descriptions for each field and entity.
- Tag everything: Use tags for categories, business units, sensitivity levels, etc.
- Keep it consistent: Use standardized names, date formats, and terminologies.
- Set ownership: Assign responsible parties for each dataset or field to keep things up-to-date.
- Document relationships: Spell out how tables and fields relate—don’t make Copilot guess!
Think of metadata as the GPS for your data. It helps Copilot (and your colleagues) navigate and understand what’s what, boosting both adoption and trust.
How Does the Fabric Data Agent Connect with Copilot Studio?
So, you’ve built your semantic model and layered it with top-notch metadata. What’s next? The Fabric Data Agent can be integrated into Copilot Studio through the Microsoft Copilot Platform (MCP). This step is super important if you want Copilot to interact with your structured data.
In Copilot Studio, you can add the Fabric Data Agent as a connector or skill, exposing your curated datasets and models. Through MCP, this integration is streamlined: administrators or solution architects just register the agent, map it to the right data sources, and configure the permissions.
Once set up, Copilot Studio can leverage the full power of your semantic model, letting users query data through chats, build automations, or even trigger workflows with no SQL required!
Final Thoughts
Microsoft’s move to blend Copilot’s conversational AI with the Fabric Data Agent is a game-changer. But the real magic happens when your semantic model is clean, rich in metadata, and thoughtfully maintained. Do that, and you’ll turn your data from a dusty asset into an on-demand business superpower.
