If you’ve worked with SharePoint or Microsoft 365 for a while, you’ve probably seen it grow from a basic document storage tool into a powerful collaboration platform. Just when we thought we had seen it all, Microsoft introduced something that could redefine how we work with content inside SharePoint — Copilot Agents.

In this article, I’ll share what Copilot Agents are, how they work, why they matter, and how you can start using them right away.

🤖 What Are Copilot Agents?

Copilot Agents are AI-powered assistants built directly into SharePoint. They are not just simple bots. These agents are designed to understand your content, answer questions, summarize documents, and help users quickly find the information they need.

They are context-aware, meaning they understand the site or library they are part of. You can ask them questions like:

What are the key updates in this project?
Summarize the sales strategy document
Who edited this policy last?

And the agent will respond using real data from your SharePoint content.

🛠️ How Do They Work?

There are two main types of Copilot Agents:

1. Ready-Made Agents

These come built-in with every SharePoint site. They are automatically scoped to the content of that specific site, so there’s no setup required. You just click the Copilot icon and start chatting.

2. Custom Agents

If you need more control, you can create your own custom Copilot Agent. These allow you to:

Name your agent and choose an avatar
Select up to 20 content sources like document libraries, folders, or specific files
Write a welcome message and provide sample prompts

This makes it easier to guide users and help them get started.

🔒 What About Permissions?

Copilot Agents respect SharePoint permissions. If a user does not have access to a document or file, the agent will not show it in the results. This is important for keeping data secure while still improving information accessibility.

🎯 Real-World Use Cases

Here are a few practical examples of how Copilot Agents can be used:

Human Resources: Answer common questions about leave policies, benefits, or onboarding
Project Teams: Summarize meeting notes, track progress, and surface relevant files
Sales and Marketing: Help team members find updated pitch decks or product information
IT Help Desks: Assist users in finding troubleshooting steps or documentation

These agents can become a go-to assistant for both internal teams and cross-functional projects.

💰 Licensing and Availability

To use SharePoint Copilot Agents, your organization needs a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. Microsoft also support Pay-As-You-Go billing, which is great if your organization prefers a more flexible payment option.

💡 Final Thoughts

Copilot Agents are not just another feature added to SharePoint. They represent a shift in how we interact with organizational knowledge. Instead of digging through folders or asking colleagues for help, you can now ask an intelligent assistant right inside the site.

If your team is already using SharePoint, give Copilot Agents a try. Start with a built-in one, then explore creating a custom version tailored to your workflow.

They save time, improve productivity, and make collaboration a lot more efficient.

Have you started using Copilot Agents in your organization? Share your experience or tips in the comments. Let’s help each other explore the possibilities.

Copilot Agents in SharePoint: A New Era of Intelligent Collaboration