Why Unstructured Data Files Are the Best Fit For Copilot Studio
After working with Copilot Studio for some time, I have noticed a common trend among many users that makes Copilot Studio and its chatbots not work as well. Users are assuming that providing structured data or a table-like data source (like Excel, .csv, or a flat table file of any kind) as knowledge, the chatbot can query and aggregate data as humans do with Excel or SQL on reading databases. If you try this with Copilot Studio, it will fail in its responses.
Let’s cover the best ways to feed data into Copilot Studio.
Unstructured Data Files: The Best Fit for Copilot Studio
When it comes to Copilot Studio, unstructured data files are your best friends. These are the types of data that aren’t organized in a pre-defined manner, which means they don’t fit neatly into tables like your traditional databases. Think of text files, emails, social media posts, images, videos, and audio recordings. These files are rich in information and offer a wide array of insights that can be unearthed using Copilot Studio’s robust capabilities.
Unstructured data is particularly well-suited for Copilot Studio because it thrives on exploring and making sense of data that’s messy and complex. The flexibility of unstructured data allows Copilot Studio to apply its full range of analytical tools and machine learning algorithms to uncover patterns, trends, and actionable insights.
Something that works really well is also a “Q&A” format text file, where the chatbot can identify by bullet points questions and its answer.
Why Structured Data Files Aren’t Optimized for Copilot Studio
Structured data, on the other hand, is like the well-organized library of the data world. It consists of data that’s neatly organized into rows and columns, like in an SQL database or a spreadsheet. While structured data is fantastic for certain types of analysis and reporting, it’s not exactly what Copilot Studio was designed for.
When structured data files are queried using SQL or equivalent languages, they are optimized for speed and efficiency. This is great for databases where you need quick, precise answers to specific queries. However, Copilot Studio’s strength lies in its ability to delve into the nuances and complexities of unstructured data, making structured data files a less-than-ideal fit.
Trying to use structured data files with Copilot Studio can be like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Sure, you can do it, but it’s not the most efficient or effective way to get the job done. You won’t be able to fully leverage Copilot’s unique capabilities, and you might miss out on some valuable insights.
Best Options in Copilot Services to Query Structured Data
So, if you’ve got structured data and you need to query it efficiently, what should you do? Fear not, because Copilot services have got you covered with some great options that are perfectly suited for structured data, like:
- Copilot SQL: This is your go-to service for all things structured data. With Copilot SQL, you can run complex queries, generate reports, and analyze your data with the precision and speed you need.
- Data Warehouse Integration: If you’re dealing with large volumes of structured data, integrating your data warehouse with Copilot services can provide you with scalable and efficient querying capabilities. This setup allows you to manage and analyze your data without breaking a sweat.
- Business Intelligence Tools: Copilot services also integrate seamlessly with various business intelligence (BI) tools. These tools are designed to help you visualize and interpret structured data, making it easier to spot trends, create dashboards, and generate insights that can drive your business decisions.
- Power BI ‘query dataset’ connector: Yes, you can ask questions and get responses from structured data, even entire data models, if they are previously loaded into Fabric as a “semantic model.” The result is phenomenal. You can use natural language on your data that will be converted into SQL statements, querying the semantic model and letting the chatbot respond in natural language.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, if you’re working with Copilot Studio, unstructured data files are your best bet. They allow you to fully harness the power of Copilot’s analytical and machine learning capabilities. Structured data files, while valuable, are better suited for traditional querying methods like SQL and are not optimized for use with Copilot Studio.
But don’t worry! Copilot services offer plenty of options to handle your structured data needs efficiently. Whether it’s using Copilot SQL, integrating with a data warehouse, or leveraging BI tools, you’ll find the right solution to make the most of your structured data.
So go ahead, embrace the messiness of unstructured data, and let Copilot Studio work its magic. Happy analyzing!
