Creating Power BI Reports in 5 Minutes with Copilot

[burakkaragoz]

What is Power BI Copilot?

Copilot is an AI-powered assistant built into Power BI that allows users to create reports, visuals, and even write DAX formulas using natural language. Instead of manually dragging fields or writing code, you can simply ask Copilot what you need.

---

Why Use Copilot for Reporting?

• Speed: Go from raw data to a polished report in minutes.
• Accessibility: No need to be a Power BI expert—Copilot bridges the gap for new users.
• Productivity: Automate repetitive tasks and focus more on analysis.

---

Step-by-Step: Building a Report with Copilot

1. Prepare Your Data

Before you start, make sure your data is loaded into Power BI Desktop or the Power BI Service. Copilot works best with well-structured tables and clearly named columns.

2. Launch Copilot

Open your Power BI workspace. You’ll find the Copilot panel on the right side (if enabled for your tenant). Click on it to start.

3. Ask for What You Need

Type your request in plain English. For example:

• “Create a sales dashboard showing revenue by region and product category.”
• “Visualize customer growth month over month.”
• “Show me a bar chart of expenses by department.”

Copilot will interpret your input, recommend visuals, and even suggest the best layout.

4. Customize the Results

You can refine Copilot’s suggestions by following up with more detailed instructions:

• “Add a filter for the year 2025.”
• “Make the chart show quarterly instead of monthly data.”
• “Add total revenue as a KPI at the top.”

Copilot updates the report in real time based on your feedback.

5. Finalize and Publish

Once satisfied, review the visuals, make any manual tweaks if necessary, and publish your report to Power BI Service for sharing with your team.

---

Pro Tips for Success

• Be Specific: The more detail you provide in your prompts, the better Copilot’s suggestions.
• Use Business Terms: Copilot understands “sales,” “profit,” “region,” etc., especially if your column names match your business language.
• Iterate: Don’t expect perfection on the first try. Ask follow-up questions to refine your report.
• Combine with Manual Edits: You can always adjust visuals manually after Copilot generates the initial report.

---

Limitations to Be Aware Of

• Copilot’s effectiveness depends on the quality of your data model.
• Complex calculations or highly customized visuals may still require manual intervention.
• Some advanced features might not be supported yet in Copilot.

---

Conclusion

Power BI Copilot is a powerful tool for anyone who wants to get actionable insights fast. By combining natural language input with the full capabilities of Power BI, you can go from idea to interactive report in just a few minutes. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned analyst, Copilot can help you save time and focus on what matters most—making better decisions with your data.

Have you tried Copilot in Power BI? Share your experience or tips in the comments below!