PowerBI Copilot Functional Scope

[DaHa]

Hello PowerBI Community,
I have researched the functional scope of Copilot for specific requirements and have also found a few things. However, the following points are still open:
- Creation of a data catalog: Can Copilot automatically create the data sources used in a data catalog? Can I give Copilot a data description and it will present me with the correct data sources?
- Synthetic data: Can Copilot recognize missing values during data integration and fill them with “synthetic data”?
- Comparison of standardized data sets from different DAteien: Is it possible to pull 2 files in the same format but different versions into Copilot and have this compared?
- Limit value deviations: Is it possible to set a limit value for specific data and Copilot reports if this is under/exceeded?
- Dashboard creation by template: Is it possible to load a template (image, presentation, dashboard,...) into Copilot and adapt the structure in a new dashboard from this template?
- Visualization Standard: Does Copilot work according to visualization standards such as IBCS?
- Creation of reports in different file formats: Is it possible for Copilot to prepare and export data in presentation formats such as pptx. or pdf?

Unfortunately, there are a lot of questions for which I have not yet found any information, so I am grateful for any knowledge and tips!
Many thanks in advance!

Regards
David

[v-venuppu]

Hi @DaHa ,

I hope this information is helpful.If so, please mark the helpful reply and accept it as the solution. This will be helpful for other community members who have similar problems to solve it faster.

Thank you.

Regards,

Rama U.

[Akash_Varuna]

Hi @DaHa Answering some of the questions here 

Can Copilot automatically create a data catalog with data sources?
A:Copilot can summarize and suggest data sources but doesn’t automatically create a full data catalog.

Can Copilot recognize missing values and fill them with synthetic data?
A:Copilot highlights missing values but doesn’t generate synthetic data automatically.

Can Copilot compare two files of the same format but different versions?
A:Copilot can compare datasets through structured Power Query analysis but may require manual setup.
Can I set a limit for specific data, and will Copilot report deviations?
A:Yes, you can define thresholds, and Copilot can alert for deviations in reports.
Can Copilot export reports in formats like PDF or PPTX?
A:Yes, Copilot supports exporting to PDF and PPTX with custom visuals.

[DaHa]

Hi @Akash_Varuna, 
thanks for your insights, it is very helpful! 
One last question: what do you mean by suggesting data sources? I understand your statement as follows: It is possible without connecting data to Copilot in advance, to explain to Copilot what kind of report I want to build and Copilot suggests data sources based on this description which are relevant for this?

[v-venuppu · Accepted solution]

Hi @DaHa ,

Yes, you are correct.

 "suggest data sources" - It means that Copilot can help identify and recommend relevant data sources based on the context and requirements that we provide.

If this post helps, then please consider Accepting as solution to help the other members find it more quickly, don't forget to give a "Kudos" – I’d truly appreciate it! 

Regards,

Rama U.

[rohit1991]

Hi @DaHa ,
Thanks for bringing up these great questions — Copilot in Power BI is evolving rapidly, and you're touching on many advanced scenarios. At its current stage, Copilot can assist with tasks like generating DAX measures, summarizing visuals, and building basic reports through natural language queries, but some of the capabilities you listed are either limited or not yet fully supported.

For example, Copilot does not automatically create a comprehensive data catalog or infer data sources based on descriptions, though integration with Microsoft Purview helps in cataloging data assets. For synthetic data generation or filling missing values, this still requires manual data transformation via Power Query or external tools — Copilot does not autonomously create synthetic data.

When it comes to comparing datasets, while Power BI itself supports side-by-side comparisons, Copilot doesn’t yet perform automated file version comparisons. Limit value detection is best handled via DAX-based KPI thresholds or conditional formatting, which Copilot can help write, but it doesn't monitor limits autonomously.

Regarding dashboard templates, Copilot doesn't yet generate dashboards from uploaded images or templates, but you can guide it with clear prompts to build visuals based on structured inputs. Visualization standards like IBCS are not natively enforced by Copilot, though best practices can be followed manually. Finally, exporting to formats like PDF or PPTX is available through Power BI’s native export functions, but Copilot doesn’t yet fully customize exports across formats automatically.

In short, Copilot is great for accelerating basic tasks, but for the more advanced automation you're aiming for, a mix of manual setup and supporting tools (like Power Automate, Fabric, or Purview) is still required.

Passionate about leveraging data analytics to drive strategic decision-making and foster business growth.

Connect with me on LinkedIn: Rohit Kumar.

[DaHa]

@rohit1991 thank your very much for these informative and interesting insights!!