How to create apps with Microsoft Copilot in Power Apps

Would you like to build a functional app without struggling with code or designing screens from scratch? With Power Apps and the boost from Copilot, that's now possible: you describe what you want in your own words, and AI builds the foundation for you. The beauty of Copilot is transforming natural language into real apps , with data, tables, and relationships ready for you to start working without wasting time on the most tedious part.

In short, Copilot acts as an assistant within Power Apps that understands you and translates your needs into concrete elements: Microsoft Dataverse tables, canvas app screens, and even proposed relationships between entities. The result is a very useful prototype (or a complete app if it's not too complex) that you can refine by requesting further changes from Copilot, also using natural language, as if you were chatting with someone on the team.

What is Copilot in Power Apps and what does it allow?

Copilot integrates seamlessly with the Power Apps interface to guide you through creating and improving your canvas app. Accessing it from the homepage, you can specify what information you want to collect, manage, or display, and Copilot generates one or more tables in Dataverse as a foundation. This accelerates project launches and eliminates the manual configuration of data structures , which is often the biggest obstacle for non-technical teams.

From there, you can continue using Copilot to request adjustments: add columns, change data types, create new related tables, or introduce basic logic. The goal is for the creation and iteration process to be seamless , without jumping between menus or tweaking complex expressions while you shape your solution.

Previous requirements

To work with Copilot in Power Apps, simply sign in and ensure you have the appropriate permissions in your environment. Once you've done that, you can open the Copilot guided experience from the home page and begin describing your use case. If you plan to expand its capabilities (for example, by integrating flows or using copilots within the app), it's advisable to have a development or testing environment.

In the Microsoft 365 Copilot world, there's also App Builder, a dedicated agent for lightweight apps that, for now, requires being part of the Frontier program and adding it from the Agent Store. If your organization allows its installation, you can use App Builder after searching for and installing it from "Built by Microsoft," "Agents," or "Productivity" in the Store dashboard; you'll then see it as "App Builder" in the Copilot Agents menu.

Creating an app with Copilot: a practical example

Let's look at a direct example: tracking cleaning tasks in a hotel. The workflow to get started is very simple and can serve as a template for other business scenarios. The idea is to see how Copilot transforms a brief request into tables and a functional canvas app in a matter of minutes.

1. Access Power AppsLog in with your corporate or educational account.
2. In the left panel, choose Create > Get started with Copilot to open the wizard.
3. Write your request in natural language. For example: "I need to manage the housekeeping tasks of a hotel.".
4. Select if you want a single table or multiple tables and press Generate to have Copilot build the database in Dataverse.

With that request, Copilot will propose one or more tables with sample data and appropriate relationships to represent typical cleaning tasks. You'll get an initial structure ready to review and adjust before creating your canvas app.

Review and refine the generated tables

After generation, Copilot displays the suggested tables, their columns, and the detected relationships. This is a good time to confirm that the fields meet your needs or to request changes using free text. This preliminary review prevents rework when moving to the app's interface and ensures a solid foundation for the data model.

What you will see on the review screen

In addition to the table and relationship view, the interface includes key elements for continued iteration without leaving the assisted experience. These shortcuts help you edit, request examples, or close the data design phase when everything is correct.

1. Edit: Opens the designer to edit existing tables or create new ones.
2. Copilot text box: asks Copilot for specific changes (columns, relationships, new tables, etc.).
3. View ad suggestionsExamples of instructions you can give Copilot for inspiration.
4. Save and open the applicationConfirm the tables and jump to creating the canvas app; if you need to go back, use the Back button.

Request changes using natural language

If you notice something is missing, simply tell Copilot. For example, you can request "add columns to track the start and end times of each cleaning ." The assistant will add these columns (e.g., "Start Time" and "End Time") to the corresponding table without you having to do anything else.

The same process applies to entering a room's status, adjusting room types, or setting priorities for each room. Once you're ready, choose "Save and open application" to build the app and see the interface generated with the logic and data you defined.

Types of applications in Power Apps and their strengths

Power Apps is a high-productivity platform designed to build frictionless business applications. Its main pillars are canvas apps, model-driven apps, and the Microsoft Dataverse data platform , which works at the heart of the solution to manage information securely and in a structured way.

Canvas Apps

Canvas apps give you design freedom. You start with virtually a blank canvas to compose highly customized screens and user flows, connecting to over 200 data sources (Microsoft 365, Dataverse, SQL, SharePoint , and many more). They can be used on web, mobile, and tablet, and are ideal when user experience is paramount.

With Copilot, you can also launch the app by typing what you need and let the AI ​​suggest basic structures and screens. This reduces prototyping time and accelerates user validation , allowing users to test a live interface much sooner.

Model-driven applications

In model-driven apps, you first define the data model in Dataverse, and then a consistent interface with forms, views, and navigation is generated. It's a process- and entity-driven approach , very effective when your business aligns well with robust tables and relationships from the outset.

The platform allows you to configure business rules, process flows, and take full advantage of the Dataverse. Furthermore, you can embed canvas-like pages within model-driven apps (custom pages), combining the best of both worlds: free-form design where needed and governed structure elsewhere.

Dataverse, the enterprise database of Power Apps

Dataverse is the data layer designed to securely store and model business information. It's the platform that powers Dynamics 365 apps like Sales, Customer Service, and Field Service. If your company already uses Dynamics 365, your data resides in Dataverse , making it easy to connect with new apps and automations.

It works with standard and custom tables, allows you to add columns as needed, and enables precise definition of relationships. Security, access control, and governance are integrated , so IT can ensure compliance without hindering the productivity of business teams.

Plan Designer in Copilot for Power Apps

As a new feature, Microsoft has integrated Plan Designer into Power Apps, powered by Copilot. This wizard lets you describe your needs and automatically receive apps, flows, and tables that serve as a reliable foundation for your solution. It's a way to orchestrate components from a single location, without switching between tools.

With Plan Designer, the initial creation process is no longer manual, and Copilot translates ideas into ready-to-use assets. Development is accelerated, and the team focuses on delivering value instead of struggling with the initial configuration. All of this happens within Power Apps, making design and deployment easier and less friction-intensive.

App Builder in Microsoft 365 Copilot

Advantages of the Application Generator

• Express prototyping: validates ideas in a very short time.
• From complex data to visuals: transforms data sets into interactive elements.
• Safe productivityCreate utilities for yourself or your team using the Microsoft 365 framework.
• Chat iteration: fine-tune the app by talking to Copilot and seeing changes instantly.
• Share and implementDistribute the app to improve collaboration and efficiency.
• Company sources: uses information from documents, spreadsheets, and other sources.

App Builder Prerequisites

To use App Builder, you must be enrolled in the Frontier program and add the agent from the Microsoft 365 Copilot Agent Store. The administrator can manage availability and permissions from the Microsoft 365 admin center and, concurrently, from the Power Platform admin center as part of the ALM cycle.

1. Log in in Microsoft 365 Copilot.
2. In the left menu, go to Chat > ​​All agents.
3. Search in Created by Microsoft, Agents or Productivity the App Builder agent (Frontier).
4. Install it. It will appear as "App Builder" Under Agents.

Create an app with App Builder

Describe the problem or application type, reference data from Microsoft 365 (meetings, messages, documents, sheets), and even upload images as a visual guide (although these are no longer used for generation). App Builder will define a data schema and create a basic interface for entering and querying information.

1. Open App Builder from Agents in Microsoft 365 Copilot.
2. Write your message. For example: "I want a demo log sheet to track sessions.".
3. Review how it generates the base table (e.g., demo records) and the UI for working with it.
4. Request improvements: "Displays attendees as cards"Add fields, etc. Changes are reflected instantly.

Try, share, and delete

To validate functionality, run the app from the list or edit view and test its behavior as an end user. If you share it, a link is generated that others in your organization can open (keep in mind that access includes the app's data, so share it responsibly).

1. Play (creators): Play button next to the app or from the editor.
2. Play (users): open the link that has been shared with you.
3. ShareIn the app, tap the Share button to get the link.
4. Delete: Delete icon to remove the app; access is lost for everyone and it is not reversible.

Known limitations of App Builder

1. Ignored images During generation: you can attach them for reference, but they are not used to build the app.
2. Several agents at the same time They can provoke contradictory or confusing responses.
3. Read-only list columnsThey cannot be edited after creation; however, you can add new rows.
4. No data is added to Lists after generation in certain cases.
5. Fixed app name Once created: it does not allow name changes.
6. Without external APIsFor security reasons, the app cannot call external services.
7. Predefined packages: only uses included libraries (e.g., D3.js for graphics, Lucide for icons).
8. Code that is neither visible nor editable for the creators.
9. Third-party cookies enabledThe block prevents the app from opening.
10. SharePoint separatelyWhen you delete the app, the associated site is not automatically deleted.
11. Possible blank screens or occasional errors: asks the Generator to correct it; it will try to adjust the code and, if not, Find solutions if Copilot isn't working..

If you need more details about App Builder, there's a frequently asked questions section within the Microsoft 365 Copilot ecosystem. It's a good resource for resolving specific questions about usage and availability.

Copilot within learning apps and experiences

Copilot isn't just for creating apps; you can also integrate it into your own applications so users can ask questions or perform actions based on their data. This multiplies the app's value by providing real-time answers and automation , without requiring users to leave their everyday interface.

If you want to get up to speed with these capabilities, there are learning paths that explain how to accelerate Power Platform solutions with Copilot and GPT. Experiences covered include "Excel to Power App," Power Apps Copilot, Power Automate Copilot , AI Builder for generating text with GPT via a request, Power Pages Copilot, and creating copilots with natural language.

Plan your app or project in Power Apps

To turn ideas into complete solutions, it's worth dedicating some time to planning: What data do you manage? Who uses the app? What processes need to be reflected? The better you define requirements and security, the easier it will be to manage the solution and integrate it into your organization without surprises.

Why low-code with Copilot makes a difference

1) Launch apps in less time

The combination of low-code and AI shortens the lifecycle from idea to app. Copilot can generate tables, relationships, and prototypes in minutes, streamlining validations and reducing manual effort. For simpler projects, you can even end up with a complete, ready-to-use app.

2) Request changes using natural language

You don't need to remember menus or functions: you say what you want and Copilot does it. "Add a column to record breaks" or "create a field for the department" are instructions that the assistant understands and executes, preventing errors and speeding up the setup process.

3) Democratize the creation of solutions

People with no coding experience can build useful tools for their daily work. The interface is simple, the wizard guides, and the organization leverages internal talent. This reduces the learning curve and distributes the responsibility for innovation among more people, without sacrificing IT control and security.

Recommended first steps with Copilot in Power Apps

If you're in a hurry and want tangible results, follow this simple guideline: start from the initial screen and describe in detail what you need , clearly outlining the data, relationships, and examples of fields. This way, the prototype will be closer to what you're looking for, and you'll need fewer iterations.

1. Access to Copilot from the home page.
2. describe the app you want to build, with all the useful nuances.
3. Let Copilot generate the tables in Dataverse.
4. Review and request changes in additional columns, relationships, or tables.
5. Take advantage of their suggestions to finish and create the app.
6. save it when it's to your liking.

Tip: Integrate Copilot into your app too.

In addition to using Copilot for building, you can set up a copilot within the app itself so users can access data, get answers, or perform guided tasks without leaving their workflow. It's a way to make the app a smarter, more conversational space.

Partners, consulting and specialized training

If your organization prefers to work with specialists, there are Microsoft partner technology consulting firms specializing in Business Intelligence, Data & Business Applications, Modern Workplace, and Artificial Intelligence . These firms, such as Aglaia, offer support and knowledge transfer to help you get the most out of Power Platform and Microsoft 365.

You can count on consulting services and in-company training programs, both in-person (InClass) and 100% online , designed to take your teams from beginner to advanced levels of Power Apps, Power Automate, or Power Pages. Being a Microsoft partner provides added confidence and access to best practices and up-to-date content. If you need to accelerate a project or train your team, it's a highly recommended option.

Copilot fits perfectly within Power Apps because it eliminates friction where it hurts most: data modeling, screen prototyping, and on-demand fine-tuning. Between the solid foundation of Dataverse, the flexibility of canvas apps, the structured approach of model-driven apps, Plan Designer, and the App Builder agent , you have a complete range of tools to tackle everything from quick utilities to enterprise solutions. By clearly defining your use case and leveraging natural language iteration, you'll move from idea to real-world use with a speed and quality that, not long ago, seemed like science fiction.