Using the Dataverse MCP Server in Copilot Studio
Introduction In this blog, I’ll share insights about an exciting advancement in Copilot Studio, the integration of the Dataverse MCP (Model Context Protocol) Server. This feature provides a seamless bridge between Microsoft Dataverse and Copilot Studio, enabling developers and makers to build intelligent copilots that can directly interact with enterprise data stored in Dataverse. Let’s dive into what this means, why it matters, and how you can use it effectively. Public preview: October 2025 (Microsoft Dataverse 2025 release wave 2)General availability: Planned for March 2026 Problem Statement Until now, connecting Dataverse data with Copilot Studio required multiple connectors, authentication configurations, or manual API setups. Makers had to define custom plugins, write Power Automate flows, or expose APIs to interact with Dataverse tables. This created friction for business users and slowed down the delivery process for conversational bots that needed to fetch, interpret, and act on business data. The challenge for us is: How can we enable Copilot Studio agents to natively access Dataverse resources and execute operations securely and efficiently, without coding overhead or complex integration setups, while ensuring tools and resources stay dynamically updated? Solution: Dataverse MCP Server Integration for Copilot Studio Microsoft has introduced the Dataverse MCP Server as part of the new Copilot Studio extensibility model. This integration allows Copilot Studio to use Microsoft Dataverse as a native data backbone using the MCP (Model Context Protocol) protocol for secure and intelligent data exchange. The MCP Server acts as a runtime data gateway, enabling Copilot agents to interact with Dataverse entities such as accounts, leads, contacts, projects, and custom tables directly within Copilot Studio dialogs. Key capabilities of this new integration include: How to Use the Dataverse MCP Server in Copilot Studio? Prerequisite: Enable “Dataverse Model Context Protocol” in Power Platform. Open admin.powerplatform.microsoft.com and navigate to your environment. Go to Settings. Expand Product dropdown and select Features. Find and enable “Enable Dataverse Model Context Protocol” and click on Save button located at the bottom right corner. Open Copilot Studio: This way we can easily setup MCP server for our agent and allow our agent to perform Dataverse actions. Considerations and Limitations Conclusion The Dataverse MCP Server integration in Copilot Studio represents a major leap in enterprise-grade AI and data connectivity. By connecting Copilot logic directly to Dataverse, makers can now build intelligent, context-aware copilots that act on live organizational data all without writing code or managing connectors. The dynamic nature of MCP ensures that as tools and resources are updated or removed on the server, Copilot Studio automatically reflects these changes, keeping your agents current and reliable. As this feature evolves toward general availability, expect deeper support for multi-environment management, cross-source integration, and advanced AI reasoning on relational data. If you’re working in the Power Platform or Dynamics 365 ecosystem, now is the perfect time to explore how Dataverse or other MCP Server can enhance your Copilot experiences. Thank you, Darish for your valuable inputs to this blog!
Generative Pages in Model-Driven Apps
Introduction In this blog, I’m going to share details regarding a newly introduced feature for model-driven apps called Generative Pages. This feature lets developers design functional, modern pages for model-driven apps simply by describing their requirements in plain language. Here’s a hands-on look at this feature using Microsoft’s latest updates and a walkthrough based on real experience. Public preview: May 16, 2025 (rollout phased through 2025 Wave 1 update) General availability: Not yet available (planned for March 2026) Problem Statement Traditionally, creating new custom pages in model-driven apps was time-consuming. Designers and developers had to manually think about the design, add each control/container, configure Dataverse sources, and fine-tune layouts, often requiring coding expertise and hours of iteration. This complexity created a barrier for business users and slowed the delivery of modern, dynamic business apps. The challenge is clear: how do we reduce the complexity of creating custom pages manually, investing a lot of time for design and development? Solution: Generative Pages in Model Driven Apps editor Microsoft has introduced Generative pages, a feature in Power Apps platform within the model-driven app editor. Generative Pages offer an AI-powered approach that leverages Copilot for page creation. Instead of manual configuration, users can describe their requirements in natural, everyday language. The App Agent for Generative Pages interprets these instructions, references relevant Dataverse tables, and produces a clean UI complete with filters, dashboards, forms, and fully integrated code. Key benefits of this new feature include: How to use Generative Pages? Updated code preview: Cleaner design. Updated code preview: Popup for “New Event” button. Updated code preview: Dashboard view added. After finalizing the page generation, you can save and publish and can edit it anytime in future if needed. Considerations and Limitations As this is an early preview, a few boundaries to keep in mind: Conclusion Generative Pages in Power Apps represent a dramatic leap forward in enterprise app building. With the power of natural language, AI-driven layouts, and direct ties to Microsoft Dataverse, business users and developers can deliver tailored solutions quite faster and focus on other tasks. As this feature matures, expect even more flexibility, data options, and co-authoring capabilities. If you are working in the D365 or Power Platform space, now’s the perfect time to try Generative Pages and master the ability to create low-code, AI-powered business app in no time. Thank you, Darish for your inputs to this blog.
How to generate Model-Driven and Canvas Apps with Copilot
Introduction In this blog, I’m going to share about an exciting capability in the Power Platform: generating Model-Driven and Canvas Apps with Copilot. Traditionally, creating apps required a lot of setup defining tables, building forms, and wiring up relationships before you could even start testing your idea. This process often slowed down makers who wanted to quickly translate business needs into working solutions. With Copilot, Microsoft has introduced a smarter way to begin. Instead of starting from scratch, you can describe your app in plain language, and Copilot will generate the core structure tables, forms, views, and layouts for you. It’s not meant to replace customization, but it gives you a strong starting point so you can spend less time on repetitive setup and more time shaping the features that matter most to your business. Problem Statement One of the biggest challenges with Model-Driven and Canvas Apps is the amount of upfront work required before you even have something usable. You need to define tables, set up relationships, and design forms and views. While this structure is powerful, it often slows down innovation. For organizations that want to quickly test ideas and turn them into business solutions, this initial setup can feel like a hurdle rather than a starting point. Solution Copilot helps bridge that gap. By using natural language, you can describe the kind of app you need, and Copilot will generate the basic structure for you. It cuts down the setup effort and lets you jump straight into refining and extending your app. Steps to Generate a Model-Driven App Using Copilot Step 1: Navigate to the Maker PortalGo to make.powerapps.com. Select Create → Start with Data. Step 2: Describe Your AppYou will be prompted to describe your app in around 200 characters. For example, try this prompt: “Create a model-driven app for managing projects, tasks, and approvals with entities for Projects, Team Members, Status, and automated workflows for notifications and reporting.” Copilot will generate a draft app plan for you. Step 3: Refine the PlanAfter the first iteration, you can keep adding details in natural language to refine the entities, relationships, and features. For instance, you might add requirements for resources, deadlines. Step 4: Save and Choose Your App TypeOnce satisfied with the generated plan, select Save and Open App. The dropdown gives you an option to choose between a Canvas App and a Model-Driven App. For this walkthrough, we’ll select a Model-Driven App. Step 5: Review and ExtendYour model-driven app is now ready. While Copilot generates the core entities and relationships, it might not cover every required field or customization. You can easily extend the app by: Final Thoughts Copilot doesn’t replace the need for thoughtful design, but it dramatically reduces the time and effort required to get started. Instead of spending hours on setup, makers can focus on building value-driven features, refining user experiences, and aligning apps with organizational goals. As the feature matures, it will become an assistant in the low-code toolkit making app creation faster, smarter, and more accessible for everyone. In the meantime, makers are encouraged to experiment with its limits and capabilities to fully understand its potential. Thank you, Aslin for your inputs to this blog.
Time and Expense Entry Agent Approval – using MS Copilot
In this blog, I’m going to share about Agent Approvals in Microsoft D365 related to Project Operations. In this short blog, we’re going to have a look at how Agent Approval work and its importance in MSD. Applies To: Project Operations Integrated with ERP, Project Operations Core PROBLEM STATEMENT: For project managers, one of the most time-consuming activities is the review and approval of time, expense, and material entries. Every record submitted by resources needs to be checked against company policies. Manual review often leads to mistakes, delays, and unnecessary back-and-forth between employees and managers. The challenge is clear: how do we reduce the burden of approvals while ensuring compliance with organizational policies? SOLUTION: Approvals Agent in Project Operations Microsoft has introduced the Approvals Agent, a feature within Dynamics 365 Project Operations powered by Microsoft Copilot Studio. The Approvals Agent automatically reviews time, expense, and material submissions against policy documents uploaded by the organization. Based on these policies: This means project managers only need to focus on exceptions, significantly cutting down review time. SETUP BY ADMIN: 2. A new Time and Expense Agent tab appears, allowing admins to upload policy documents for time, expenses, and materials. 3. The agent can run in two modes: Classify: Marks records as Ready for approval or Needs review. Final approval is still done manually by the manager. Classify and Auto Approve: Records that meet policy rules are automatically approved. BACKGROUND SETTING: New tab opens -> search Microsoft Copilot Studio -> Click on Create new -> Sign in for which user you want to use this feature (NOTE: This will be only visible to the user who is using their ID, Also User should have Time and Approval Agent security role, or another role that provides the same or greater privileges) ACTIVATE THE AGENT: ONCE THE CONNECTION REFERENCE IS MADE AND THE FLOWS ARE TURNED ON. You are set to go with the feature use. Last thing to configure is to update your Approvals rules Refer the image/file, you can add expense entry rules as well. After configuring all the rules, while you login with same user you will see AGENT APPROVAL area in the App. After classification, managers can view the list of reviewed entries. For each record, they can: EXAMPLE:Imagine a consulting company where: Here’s what happens with Approvals Agent: Conclusion: The Approvals Agent in Dynamics 365 Project Operations is a step forward in intelligent automation for project management. By leveraging Microsoft Copilot Studio and well-structured policy documents, organizations can cut down approval times and reduce mistakes. Thank you, Kalyani for your valuable inputs for this blog.
Speed Up Form Filling with Smart Paste (preview)
“I have been annoyed by the time-consuming process of completing forms and wished I could just take the data straight from an existing note, document, or email?” Now in preview for model driven apps, Copilot’s new smart paste feature will speed up and simplify the form fill process. The purpose of smart paste is to make form-filling as easy as copying and pasting. You can now fill out forms with ease using the data you already have, which will save you time and cut down on mistakes. Prepare yourself to manage forms in a more intelligent, efficient, and user-friendly manner.Consider the following scenario: you need to fill out a form with content from an email, document, or note. You can now just copy the text to your clipboard rather than painstakingly entering it all in. Simply use the regular paste shortcut (CTRL+V or CMD+V) or click the smart paste button without selecting any particular fields. Copilot makes suggestions inline within the form by analyzing the form and the copied content to determine what text might be used to fill in particular fields. The recommendations that suit you can be reviewed and accepted; as usual, nothing is kept unless you give your approval. Suggestions will be immediately discarded if they are ignored, and the ability to clear all of the form’s suggestions will be added in future.Users can select the smart paste button or use the keyboard shortcut to receive suggestions for fields. Text, choice, date, and number fields are the ones that Smart Paste currently supports. It is also not possible for Copilot to enter data in any fields that have field security enabled. Arabic,Chinese (Simplified), Czech, Danish, Dutch, English (US), Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian (Bokmål), Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, and Turkish are among the languages that Smart Paste supports.How to enable it?By making the following two changes in the Power Platform admin center, under Settings > Product > Features > AI form fill assistance section, you can leverage smart paste in your model-driven apps:1. In the Enable this feature for field, make sure that All users immediately is selected.2. Set Enable smart paste (Preview) to On. In conclusion, the new Smart Paste feature from Copilot is a game-changer for anyone who finds the process of filling out forms time-consuming and repetitive. By allowing users to seamlessly copy and paste data from existing documents, emails, or notes, Smart Paste streamlines the form-filling experience. It reduces errors, saves time, and ensures a more efficient workflow by automatically suggesting relevant data for each form field. Whether you’re dealing with text, choice, date, or number fields, Smart Paste is designed to make form management easier and more intelligent. With support for multiple languages and a focus on user privacy and control, Copilot’s Smart Paste is poised to enhance productivity and provide a smoother, more intuitive form-filling experience. Thank you, for your valuable inputs Arvind!
Check out the Lead Qualification Experience in (Release wave 2)
Introduction: The business landscape is constantly evolving, and staying ahead means adapting to the tools and features that can streamline processes. With the 2024 Release Wave 2, Dynamics 365 Sales has introduced an exciting enhancement that promises to revolutionize the way businesses handle lead qualification. This update brings a fully customizable lead qualification experience, empowering administrators and sales teams with more control, flexibility, and precision. Description Lead qualification is a crucial step in the sales process, determining whether a lead is worth pursuing further. The traditional Dynamics 365 lead qualification experience had limitations, auto-creating certain records without giving users much control. However, the latest feature allows administrators to fine-tune this process, adapting it to their unique business needs. Here are some of the key highlights of the new lead qualification experience: 1. Multiple Opportunities from a Single Lead Sales cycles aren’t always linear. With the new feature, you can now create multiple opportunities from a single lead, enabling your team to pursue various avenues simultaneously without needing to duplicate the lead. This offers more versatility when nurturing complex sales scenarios. 2. AI-Powered Lead Summaries with Copilot AI is taking center stage in the world of CRM. Dynamics 365 Sales now integrates Microsoft Copilot to assist in generating AI-based lead qualification summaries. This not only saves timebut also helps create more accurate and data-driven insights, enabling sales teams to make informed decisions faster. 3. Administrator Control for Enhanced Customization Unlike the previous rigid system, this feature grants administrators the ability to configure which records (account, contact, opportunity) are auto-created upon qualification. Whether you want to skip certain steps or capture additional information, the flexibility of the system ensures it works in alignment with your business goals. The Business BenefitsThe ability to customize lead qualification offers multiple advantages:• Improved Efficiency: By customizing the qualification process, sales teams can avoid unnecessary steps and focus on converting high-quality leads into valuable opportunities.• Enhanced Insights: With Copilot summarizing leads based on AI, businesses can leverage real-time data and insights to better evaluate lead quality.• Scalability: For businesses dealing with multi-channel or large-scale sales processes, the ability to create multiple opportunities from a single lead ensures a more dynamic approach to lead nurturing.How to Get Started with the New FeatureTo enable this feature, administrators need to access the early access features for Dynamics 365 Sales 2024 Release Wave 2 and configure the lead qualification settings based on their organization’s requirements. Follow these steps:1. Navigate to the Sales Hub app.2. Go to Settings > Lead Management.3. Enable the new qualification experience and customize it according to your business needs. Once activated, sellers will notice an immediate difference in the lead qualification process, from the way opportunities are created to how AI-driven insights are integrated into their workflows.ConclusionThe new lead qualification experience in Dynamics 365 Sales brings a fresh approach to an age-old process, combining flexibility, AI-driven insights, and the ability to handle multiple sales paths simultaneously. If your business is looking to stay competitive and maximize sales potential, embracing this new feature should be a top priority. Stay ahead of the curve by exploring this feature as part of the 2024 Release Wave 2 and elevate your sales process to new heights. Thank you, Subhash! for your valuable inputs to this blog!