Copilot for Microsoft Fabric - Simply Explained
Microsoft Fabric is Microsoft’s unified analytics platform, bringing together data engineering, data integration, data science, data warehousing, and business intelligence into a single cloud service. But where does Copilot fit into the picture?
In this episode of Microsoft Knowledge Nuggets, we break down Copilot for Microsoft Fabric in simple, practical terms. You’ll learn how AI helps data professionals and business users generate reports, build data pipelines, write SQL and DAX, create Power BI visuals, and uncover insights using natural language instead of complex code. We also explain how Copilot works across different Fabric workloads, making advanced analytics faster and more accessible for everyone.
Using real-world examples, we show how organizations can reduce manual work, accelerate reporting, and empower teams to ask questions about their data without needing deep technical expertise. We also discuss the importance of clean data models, governance, and human validation, since AI-generated insights are only as reliable as the underlying data.
Whether you're a Power BI developer, data engineer, business analyst, IT decision-maker, or simply curious about Microsoft's AI-powered analytics platform, this episode provides a clear, jargon-free introduction to one of the most exciting capabilities in Microsoft Fabric. Discover how Copilot transforms raw data into actionable insights and why it is becoming an essential productivity tool for modern data-driven organizations.
Introducing Copilot for Microsoft Fabric. It is an AI helper that changes how you work with data and analytics. This cool tool lets you use simple language to talk to data. It makes data easy for everyone, no matter their skills. You can make reports and look at data fast without tricky coding.
Here are some important benefits of using Copilot:
- Make visuals and insights just by saying what you want.
- Create DAX calculations easily.
- Change the tone and style of stories for better understanding.
With Copilot, you can make your work easier and get more done. Data analysis becomes a smooth experience.
Key Takeaways
- Copilot for Microsoft Fabric makes data analysis easier. It lets users talk to data in simple language.
- Users can quickly make reports and visuals without coding skills. This makes data easy for everyone to use.
- The tool does routine tasks automatically. This gives users more time for important projects.
- Copilot helps with decision-making by giving faster insights. This helps teams respond quickly to what they need.
- It works well with Microsoft apps like Excel and Teams. This allows easy access to data insights on different platforms.
- Organizations that use Copilot see more productivity. They also notice better teamwork between technical and business teams.
- The AI helper keeps data safe and follows rules. This lets users work confidently with sensitive information.
- By making data access easier, Copilot helps all employees join in on data-driven decisions.
What Is Copilot?
Features of Copilot
Copilot for Microsoft Fabric is your AI helper. It makes working with data and analytics easier. This smart tool takes hard tasks and makes them simple. You can focus on understanding instead of technical stuff. Here are some cool features of Copilot:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Intelligent code completion | Helps you write scripts and SQL queries faster by understanding your work. |
| Automation of routine tasks | Makes data processing and report making easier without needing you to do it all by hand. |
| Generating visualizations and reports | Creates clear charts and reports from your data, helping you understand business numbers. |
| Natural Language Processing (NLP) | Lets you ask questions in everyday language, and Copilot turns them into data queries. |
| Collaboration with other modules | Works well with different Microsoft Fabric parts for a smooth experience. |
With Copilot, you can easily make SQL queries and reports. For example, if you want to find the best-selling products by customer age, just ask Copilot. It will create a T-SQL query that combines product info from a Lakehouse and sales data from a warehouse. This means you can say what you need in simple words, even if you don’t know SQL.
Also, during a sales review, you might want to see total revenue by region for the last three months. Copilot will make the T-SQL query to get the right data from the Finance Lakehouse. This feature helps you get insights quickly and easily.
Copilot works well with many Microsoft Fabric tasks, making you more productive. It helps you follow Microsoft’s best practices by suggesting good code. This way, you can work well, whether you are using Data Factory, Data Engineering, or Power BI.
Applications of Copilot in Microsoft Fabric
Data Analysis and Reporting
Copilot for Microsoft Fabric makes your data analysis and reporting much better. With its smart features, you can quickly make reports and build data models in Power BI. This tool makes analytics easier. You can focus on getting insights instead of worrying about technical stuff. Here are some important uses of Copilot in this area:
| Application Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Accelerate report and model creation | Quickly make reports and design data models in Power BI. |
| Simplify analytics workflows using AI | Use AI to make analytics processes easier. |
| Build agent-driven data experiences | Let users talk to data using everyday language. |
With Copilot, you can ask questions in simple English. For example, if you want to know the total sales for the last quarter, just type your question. Copilot will create the SQL code you need and give you the answers. This makes it easier to analyze data and helps you make quick decisions based on correct information.
Streamlining Workflows
Copilot also helps automate data tasks in Microsoft Fabric. It makes your workflows smoother and your data processes faster. Here are some ways Copilot does this:
- Dataflows Gen2 offers a new, easy way to change data without coding.
- Copilot integration gives AI help and automation that understands what you want.
With Copilot, you can automate boring tasks that usually need manual work. For example, it can create reports and presentations without you having to do it yourself. This lets you focus on important projects instead of getting stuck with small tasks.
Also, Copilot helps you combine data. It can automatically create data pipelines based on what you need. You can explain your queries in simple English, so you don’t have to use complicated SQL. This easy way of working makes your experience better and boosts productivity.
Organizations using Copilot have seen real results. For example, they notice better productivity and faster decision-making. Teams can quickly turn raw data into useful insights, making their work more responsive.
Benefits of Using Copilot
Enhanced Decision-Making
Using Copilot for Microsoft Fabric helps you make better decisions. This AI tool lets you find insights quickly and easily. Here are some key benefits that help your decision-making:
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Faster Time to Insight | Copilot cuts down the work needed for querying, coding, making reports, and fixing problems. |
| Higher Productivity Across Analytics Roles | It helps different roles, making analytics work easier for everyone. |
| Lower Friction in Governed Self-Service | Copilot makes analytics easier to use with everyday language while keeping rules in place. |
| Improved Operational Responsiveness | It speeds up finding, checking, and responding to data issues. |
| More Efficient Use of Specialist Expertise | Experts can spend more time on important analysis instead of repeating tasks. |
| Stronger Rollout Discipline | Copilot focuses on careful planning and security for using it in businesses. |
With these benefits, you can make quicker decisions based on correct data. Copilot lets you ask questions in simple words. You can get the info you need fast without getting stuck in technical stuff.
Democratizing Data Access
Copilot in Microsoft Fabric makes data available for everyone in your organization. This means even people without tech skills can work with data well. Here’s how Copilot does this:
- Automation of Repetitive Tasks: Copilot takes care of tasks that usually need manual work. This helps you be more productive and focus on bigger projects.
- Accelerated Development Processes: You can finish projects faster with help from Copilot. It cuts down the time spent on coding and making reports.
- Reduced Learning Curves: Users find it easier to start using data analytics. They can work with data better without needing a lot of training.
- Real-World Impact: A global construction company saw a 40% drop in reporting time. This change helped them make decisions faster, showing big efficiency gains.
By making data easier to access, Copilot lets everyone in your organization help with data-driven decisions. You don’t have to be a data expert to look at trends or create reports. With Copilot, you can easily use your data platform and find useful insights.
Integration with Microsoft Fabric
Seamless User Experience
Copilot in Microsoft Fabric makes your work better by connecting easily with different Microsoft apps. This connection helps you work across platforms without losing your focus. You can get data insights right from tools you already use, like Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Teams. Here’s how this connection helps you:
| Application | Integration Method | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Excel | Works smoothly with Copilot | Real-time AI insights, better productivity |
| Word | Feature that works across apps | Clear workflow, less tool switching |
| PowerPoint | Uses AI insights | Better teamwork and efficiency |
| Teams | Ask questions in everyday language | Easier processes, improved data use |
With Copilot, you can ask questions in simple words. For example, if you want to look at sales data, just type your question in Teams, and Copilot will give you the insights you need. This feature makes your work easier and helps you get more done.
Cross-Application Functionality
The connection of Copilot with Microsoft Fabric creates a strong place for data analysis. Copilot looks at data context and gives suggestions based on your business needs. This ability lets you mix data from different sources, like Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales, and supports advanced data processes and machine learning.
Security and user permissions are very important in this connection. Good governance helps stop unauthorized access to data. Copilot uses Fabric data agents to make sure that queries follow the rules for data security and governance. Here are some important points about security:
- Administrators can control Copilot settings, like turning access on or off.
- You can set limits for data processing to stay compliant.
By keeping strong security measures, Copilot lets you focus on your analysis tasks without worrying about data leaks. This smart automation not only boosts your productivity but also helps you make faster decisions based on trustworthy data insights.
Return on Investment
Using Copilot for Microsoft Fabric can bring big money benefits to your organization. You will see better productivity from data workers. This boost often leads to a quick return on investment. For medium and large companies, the costs for Copilot are about $1.1 million in Microsoft fees over three years. You should also think about similar setup costs and ongoing maintenance, which are around $352,000 during that time.
The benefits of Copilot go beyond just money. You will see faster project completion. This speed helps your teams react quickly to changing business needs. Better teamwork between technical and business teams becomes possible. With Copilot, both sides can work together better, leading to smarter decisions.
Another important benefit is better data management. Copilot helps make sure your data processes follow company rules. This compliance lowers risks linked to data handling. By making workflows smoother, you can focus on important projects instead of getting stuck in everyday tasks.
In the long run, the value of Copilot becomes even clearer. As your organization grows, you need to handle data more efficiently. Copilot grows with you, letting you manage bigger datasets without losing performance. This ability means you can keep high-quality analytics as your business gets bigger.
Also, the time saved by automating boring tasks lets your team focus on tougher analyses. This change not only lifts spirits but also makes jobs more satisfying. Employees like tools that make their work easier and more meaningful.
Copilot for Microsoft Fabric changes how you work with data and make decisions. This AI helper lets you ask questions in everyday language, so everyone can use it. You can easily create reports and set up data pipelines without needing a lot of tech skills.
“One common thing we hear from clients is that Copilot makes the time between a question and a decision shorter. I feel really happy when I see leaders act on those answers.”
With Copilot, you get insights faster, helping you make smart choices quickly. This tool not only boosts your productivity but also creates a more lively decision-making process in your organization.
FAQ
What is Copilot for Microsoft Fabric?
Copilot for Microsoft Fabric is an AI helper that makes working with data easier. You can talk to data using simple words, so everyone can understand analytics.
How does Copilot help with data analysis?
Copilot creates SQL queries and reports from your everyday language requests. You can get insights fast without needing a lot of technical skills.
Can I use Copilot without coding skills?
Yes! You can use Copilot even if you don’t know how to code. Just explain what you need in simple words, and Copilot will take care of the hard stuff for you.
Is Copilot secure to use?
Absolutely! Copilot follows the security rules already in place. It makes sure you only see the data you are allowed to access, keeping everything safe.
How does Copilot integrate with other Microsoft applications?
Copilot connects easily with Microsoft apps like Excel, Word, and Teams. This connection lets you get data insights right from the tools you already use.
What are the main benefits of using Copilot?
Using Copilot boosts productivity, speeds up decision-making, and makes data available for everyone. It helps everyone in your organization work with data confidently.
How can I get started with Copilot?
To start using Copilot, make sure you have a paid Microsoft Fabric account. Your admin needs to turn on the feature, and then you can start using it right away.
Can Copilot automate repetitive tasks?
Yes! Copilot can automate boring data tasks, so you can focus on more important projects. It makes workflows smoother and improves overall efficiency.
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Welcome to another episode of Microsoft Knowledge Nuggets here on M365.
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FM, I'm your host, Mirko Peters.
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Today's topic is one that almost everyone has heard of, but few can actually explain.
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Copilot for Microsoft Fabric, you hear the word "copilot" everywhere these days.
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In word and teams and GitHub in Windows.
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So when someone mentions copilot for fabric, you probably think same thing different app, right?
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Wrong.
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By the end of this episode, you will know exactly what it is, where it works, and why it matters
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even if you have never written a line of SQL.
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The copilot confusion.
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Here's the thing, Microsoft has a lot of copilets and most people lump them all together,
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but they are not the same thing at all.
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Microsoft 365 copilot helps you write documents in word, summarize emails in outlook, and
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take notes in teams.
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GitHub copilot suggests code when you are working in VS code.
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It is for software developers building applications, and then there is copilot in fabric, that
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one is completely different.
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It works specifically on data and analytics inside Microsoft Fabric.
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Think of it this way.
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Imagine a company with three specialists.
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One writes reports for the executive team.
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One builds software products, and one handles all the company's data, cleaning it, querying
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it, building reports from it.
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They are all smart people, but they do completely different jobs.
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That is how Microsoft's copilot's work.
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M365 copilot is your report writer.
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GitHub copilot is your software builder, and fabric copilot is your data specialist.
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So now that we know what it is not, let us talk about what it actually is.
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What copilot for fabric actually is.
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Welcome to another knowledge nugget.
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I'm Mirko Peters from M365.
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Today's topic is something many people have heard about, but few truly understand copilot
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for fabric.
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So what actually is it?
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Here is the simplest definition.
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Copilot for fabric is an AI assistant built right into Microsoft fabric.
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You type what you need in plain English, and it writes the code, builds the queries, or
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creates the reports for you.
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It uses large language models from Azure Open AI.
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But here is what matters.
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It understands your specific schemers, tables, and data.
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So when you type, show me total sales by region for last quarter.
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It already knows which tables to look at and how to write that query.
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Think of it like having a junior data analyst who works incredibly fast, but needs you to
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check their work.
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You give them instructions, and seconds later they produce something useful.
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Now they might misinterpret your request or write code that works, but isn't efficient.
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That's why you always review what comes back before running it in production.
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The real benefit is straightforward.
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You don't need to know SQL, DAX, or PISPARK to get started.
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If you understand your data and can describe what you need, copilot helps you get there.
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So where exactly does this tool appear inside fabric?
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Where it lives, data factory, and data engineering.
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Copilot is embedded across multiple fabric workloads.
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It's not a separate tool you have to open.
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It lives right where you're already working.
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Start with data factory.
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This is where you build pipelines to move and transform data.
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Instead of dragging activities onto a canvas and configuring each one manually, you simply
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describe what you need.
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Something like, combine these two tables and remove nulls.
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Copilot generates the power query steps for you.
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It creates the merge, the filter, and the data type changes.
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All from a single sentence.
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You still review the output, but the repetitive work is handled.
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Then there's data engineering specifically fabric notebooks.
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This is where you write PISPARK code to load, clean, and transform data at scale.
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If you're new to Spark syntax, writing even a simple transformation can feel like learning
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a new language.
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Copilot changes that.
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You describe the logic, load this CSV from the lake house, filter out canceled orders,
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and group by region.
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And it generates the PISPARK code.
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You can run it, tweak it, and learn from it.
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Here's something many people don't realize.
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Copilot can also explain existing code.
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Open a notebook someone else wrote and have no idea what a specific cell does, just ask.
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What does this transformation do?
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Copilot reads the code and summarizes it in plain English, same with pipelines.
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Ask it to summarize a complex pipeline, and it tells you what each step does and in what
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order.
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But that's only half the story.
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Copilot also lives where you consume your data.
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Where it lives.
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Data warehouse and power BI.
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The way does Copilot actually live inside Microsoft 365, two main places, the data warehouse
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and power BI.
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Let's start with the data warehouse.
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Here you can ask for a SQL query in plain English.
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Type, show me total sales by product for last quarter, and Copilot generates the SQL for
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you.
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No need to remember the exact group by or where syntax.
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You just describe what you want and Copilot writes the code.
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Here's the thing, many people know their data inside out, but they don't write SQL every
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day.
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You know the business question.
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You know which tables hold the answer.
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But turning that into a correct efficient query takes time.
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Copilot removes that friction.
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Then there's power BI.
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Most business users spend their time here.
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Copilot helps you build reports from scratch.
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Describe what you want.
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Create a report showing revenue by month with a bar chart.
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Copilot suggests the right visuals, lays them out and writes the DAX measures behind the
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scenes.
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It can also summarize a dashboard for you.
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Imagine you open a report with 20 visuals and you have five minutes to present it.
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Ask Copilot to summarize and it gives you a plain English overview of the key trends
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and numbers.
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Copilot can also explain how a measure calculates.
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See a number and not show how it's derived?
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Just ask.
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Copilot reads the DAX and tells you what it does.
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That means business users can ask questions in plain English and get answers without waiting
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for the data team.
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Let's look at some real examples.
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This is where it all comes together.
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Real examples, how it works in practice.
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Imagine a retail company that sells both online and in stores.
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Their sales data comes from a few different sources.
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Transaction records from the POS system, customer data from the CRM and inventory logs from
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the warehouse.
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Typical business data that needs analysis.
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Now picture three different people on the team.
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Each uses Copilot differently.
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Start with the data engineer.
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Their job is to prepare raw data for analysis.
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They open a fabric notebook and type something like, load the sales CSV from the lake house,
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filter out any rows where the transaction type is returned, then group by region and calculate
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total revenue for each group.
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Copilot generates the PICE bar code in seconds.
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The engineer reviews it, runs it and moves on.
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What used to take 20 minutes now takes two.
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When there's the business analyst, they need a report for the weekly sales meeting.
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They open Power BI, connect to the cleaned data and ask Copilot, create a report showing
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revenue by month with a bar chart and add a line for the target.
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Copilot builds the layout, picks the right visuals and writes the DAX measure for the target
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comparison.
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The analyst tweaks the colors, adjust the layout and has a polished report ready in minutes
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instead of hours.
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Finally, there's someone who knows SQL but isn't a database expert.
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They need to add a profit margin column to an existing table.
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They open the data warehouse and type, add a column for profit margin to the sales table,
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calculated as revenue minus cost divided by revenue, formatted as a percentage.
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Copilot writes the alter table statement.
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The user runs it, verifies the numbers and moves on.
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Here's the thing, Copilot isn't perfect.
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Sometimes it misinterprets what you meant.
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Sometimes the code works but isn't optimal.
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Sometimes it picks the wrong visual.
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You always need to check the output before using it in production.
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But forgetting started for prototyping, for learning, it's like having a template factory
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at your fingertips.
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You'll describe what you want and you get a working first draft then you refine it.
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So what do you actually need to start using this thing?
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What do you need to use it?
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So what do you actually need to use Copilot?
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The requirements are simpler than you might expect.
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First you need a paid fabric capacity, specifically an F2SQ or higher.
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If you're on a trial capacity or you have Power BI premium, you might already have access.
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Just check your tenant settings to confirm.
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And second, your fabric admin needs to enable Copilot in the tenant settings.
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It's not on by default in every organization.
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Some admins prefer to roll it out gradually, test it with a pilot group first and then enable
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it broadly.
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So if you open fabric and don't see the Copilot icon, that's probably why.
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Your best bet is to talk to your admin.
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Here's the good news.
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There's no extra licensing cost beyond your fabric capacity.
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Copilot is included.
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You don't need to buy a separate subscription or sign up for another service.
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If you have fabric, you have Copilot as long as your admin has flipped the switch.
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Once it's enabled, you'll see a Copilot icon in the supported workloads, click it and
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the panel opens where you can type your prompts.
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That's all there is to it.
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No configuration, no setup, no training data to prepare.
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You just start typing and Copilot starts helping.
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But here's one important limitation.
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Copilot only works with data you already have access to.
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It respects your existing permissions.
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If you can't see a table in the warehouse, Copilot can't see it either.
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If you don't have access to a semantic model, Copilot won't generate queries against it.
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And that's actually a good thing.
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It means Copilot doesn't bypass your security controls.
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It works within the boundaries you've already set.
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So why should this matter if you're new to data analytics?
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Why beginners should care?
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The biggest barrier to working with data has never been about intelligence or business
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knowledge.
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It's always been about technical skill, SQL, Python, DAX.
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These all take time to learn.
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Months, sometimes years, before you're truly productive.
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And for someone whose main job isn't data engineering, that time just isn't there.
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You have reports to build questions to answer decisions to make.
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Learning to write a perfect window function isn't on the list.
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Copilot lowers that barrier dramatically.
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You can explain what you want in plain English and get working code back.
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Not perfect code always, but working code you can run, inspect and learn from.
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That changes the dynamic completely.
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In practice, non-technical team members can start exploring data, building reports and asking
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questions without waiting for IT.
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The person in marketing who needs to understand campaign performance doesn't have to submit
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a ticket and wait three days.
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They open fabric, describe what they need, and get a report.
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The operations lead who wants to track inventory trends doesn't need to learn PICEBARK.
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They just ask.
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For self-service analytics, this is the kind of shift that changes how teams work.
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But there's a catch.
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It only works well if the underlying data is well-organized.
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If your data is messy, if tables aren't named clearly, if relationships aren't defined,
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copilot struggles.
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Garbage in garbage out still applies.
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The AI is only as good as the foundation it's built on.
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Beginners still need to understand what they're asking and validate the results.
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Copilot can write a query that looks correct but gives you the wrong answer because you
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asked the wrong question.
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It can generate a report that looks beautiful but uses the wrong measure.
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The tool accelerates your work but it doesn't replace your judgment.
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Think of it this way.
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Copilot is a tool that accelerates learning, not a replacement for understanding.
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You still need to know what a join is, what a measure does, what a filter means.
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But instead of spending weeks memorizing syntax, you can spend that time understanding
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concepts.
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You see the code copilot writes, you read it, you tweak it, you learn.
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It's like having a tutor who writes the answer first and then explains it and over time,
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you start to recognize the patterns.
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That same join syntax, what a filter actually does.
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Building your skills without the frustration of staring at a blank screen.
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But there's one more thing to keep in mind.
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The human still matters.
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Here's the truth.
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Copilot is powerful but it's not perfect.
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It can misinterpret what you mean, generate code that technically works but runs slow or
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write a DAX query that grabs the wrong numbers because it gets the wrong table.
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And this isn't some rare glitch.
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It happens often enough that you need to treat everything copilot produces as a first draft,
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not a final answer.
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So your job is to check the SQL, test the DAX and validate every pipeline step before it
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goes live.
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This isn't about distrust, it's about ownership.
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If a report shows the wrong number, the business doesn't care that copilot wrote the measure.
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They care that you signed off on it.
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Think of copilot like a smart assistant, not an autonomous worker.
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It handles the boring stuff.
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The boilerplate queries, the repetitive scripts, the starting point, that's way better
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than a blank page.
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But you're still the one calling the shots.
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You decide what's correct, what goes to production and what the business actually sees and governance
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doesn't disappear.
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Data quality, access control compliance, those are still on your plate.
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Copilot doesn't clean your data or enforce security policies.
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It works within the permissions you've already set but it won't fix a broken data model or
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a poorly designed access structure.
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Those foundations need to be solid before copilot can add real value.
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For IT pros, there's actually a silver lining here.
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Copilot handles the routine work, the standard reports, the basic queries, the everyday pipelines.
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It frees you up for the harder stuff.
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Performance tuning, data architecture, complex modeling, the work that actually moves the
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needle.
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Because business users can answer their own basic questions, your team gets fewer routine
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requests.
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More time for the analysis that matters.
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So here's the bottom line.
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Copilot for fabric is an AI assistant that turns plain language into data work.
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Pipelines, queries, reports, you describe what you need and copilot writes the code.
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It's not magic, it's a tool.
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A tool that helps beginners get started and experts move faster.
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If you're new to fabric, copilot is the best friend you didn't know you had.
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Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and share this episode with anyone trying to
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make sense of Microsoft fabric.
Founder of m365.fm, m365.show and m365con.net
Mirko Peters is a Microsoft 365 expert, content creator, and founder of m365.fm, a platform dedicated to sharing practical insights on modern workplace technologies. His work focuses on Microsoft 365 governance, security, collaboration, and real-world implementation strategies.
Through his podcast and written content, Mirko provides hands-on guidance for IT professionals, architects, and business leaders navigating the complexities of Microsoft 365. He is known for translating complex topics into clear, actionable advice, often highlighting common mistakes and overlooked risks in real-world environments.
With a strong emphasis on community contribution and knowledge sharing, Mirko is actively building a platform that connects experts, shares experiences, and helps organizations get the most out of their Microsoft 365 investments.
