Power Automate releases new updates this January 2025

Microsoft has released the January 2025 update (version 2.52) for Power Automate for desktop, introducing several new features and enhancements. Notably, users can now utilize Copilot to summarize selected actions and subflows, aiding in quicker understanding of desktop flows. Additionally, the update allows a child desktop flow to run concurrently with its parent flow on the same machine, and introduces dedicated Access actions for improved database management.

Here is a more detailed description of each feature:

Copilot Summaries – Get quick insights into your desktop flows with Copilot, which can now summarize selected actions and subflows.

Parallel Execution – A new toggle allows child desktop flows to run concurrently with their parent flow on the same machine, boosting performance.

Built-in Access Actions – A dedicated set of Access actions is now available out of the box for seamless database operations.

Enhanced Variable Support – Excel, Word, and Outlook instance variables can now be used as input/output variables in desktop flows.

Improved Error Handling – The "On block error" action now supports a retry policy, ensuring greater resilience in automated processes.

GitHub Copilot Edits in Visual Studio 2022 is now available in preview mode

Microsoft Visual Studio has introduced a powerful new feature, GitHub Copilot Edits (Preview), designed to streamline code editing across multiple files. This feature leverages AI to suggest and apply changes consistently, saving developers time and reducing manual effort. Discover how this innovation enhances efficiency and boosts productivity in your development workflow.

Here’s how to use the new feature:

- Preview a clear summary highlighting affected files and proposed changes.

- Review code diffs inline in your editor, using the TAB key to accept or Alt + Del to reject changes individually or in bulk.

- Use checkpoints to revisit earlier iterations or try alternative approaches for new ideas.

- Start an edit thread by clicking the Edit Threads button, describing your changes, and letting Copilot Edits analyze files across your codebase.

Microsoft releases 2025 Wave 1 updates for Dynamics 365 and Power Platform

Microsoft has unveiled the 2025 Release Wave 1 plans for Dynamics 365 and Power Platform, introducing transformative updates designed to drive business innovation. Key highlights include role-based Copilot offerings, enhancing productivity through AI-driven assistance tailored to specific roles. With a focus on empowering organizations to achieve more, these updates promise to streamline workflows, boost collaboration, and deliver unparalleled value across industries.

Here's a sneak peek at what's new:

- Release timeline: The new capabilities are scheduled for rollout between April 2025 and September 2025.

- Dynamics 365 Sales: Harness the power of AI to help sellers hit their targets by boosting productivity through automated research, ongoing follow-ups, and intelligent task prioritization.

- Dynamics 365 Customer Service: Enhance agent efficiency with advanced case management, AI-driven routing, and expanded Copilot features for representatives and supervisors.

- Power Apps: Simplify app creation with the new Plan Designer, where makers outline a business problem, and AI-powered agents guide them in crafting tailored solutions.

- Power Automate: Redefine automation with human-in-the-loop experiences, using advanced approvals and AI-driven capabilities to streamline complex business processes.

Power Apps releases Plan Designer in public preview mode for makers worldwide

Microsoft Power Apps introduces the Plan Designer (Preview), a powerful new feature designed to simplify app planning and improve collaboration across teams. With an intuitive interface, Plan Designer enables users to map out app ideas, define components, and streamline the development process—all within Power Apps. Explore how this tool empowers makers to bring their app visions to life with greater clarity and efficiency.

Here's what you need to know about the new feature:

- Effortless Transformation: Turn your business requirements into a fully realized, end-to-end low-code solution in just minutes.

- Guided Planning: Start with a description of your business problem or process diagrams, and let Copilot generate user roles and stories for you.

- Streamlined Architecture: Automatically create Dataverse tables and view them in an ERD within the Data Workspace.

- Dynamic Adjustments: Use Copilot to provide feedback and refine your plan in real-time.

- Ready for Deployment: All artifacts—including the plan document, Dataverse tables, and user experiences—are saved in a solution, ready for testing and deployment.

Access GitHub Copilot’s free plan for Visual Studio with just your GitHub account

Microsoft has announced free access to GitHub Copilot for Visual Studio, empowering developers with AI-assisted coding at no cost. This initiative aims to streamline coding workflows, boost productivity, and make powerful AI tools accessible to all Visual Studio users.

Explore these powerful features:

- Copilot Edits: Multi-File Editing: Make changes across multiple files effortlessly with a single prompt, speeding up your coding process and improving productivity.

- Chat with @workspace and @vs: Use intuitive commands like @workspace or @vs to get context-aware responses that integrate seamlessly with your files and solution traits.

- Auto-Generated Commit Messages: Let Copilot review staged changes and suggest commit messages tailored to your style with customizable prompts.

- Error Fixing Made Easy: Resolve code errors effortlessly with Copilot's enhanced file awareness, now integrated into the lightbulb and error list for a smoother debugging experience.

- Automated Breakpoints: Save time by letting Copilot suggest breakpoint placements, eliminating the need to manually craft complex expressions.

Microsoft launches the preview mode of Copilot summaries for Power BI in email subscriptions

Microsoft is taking email subscriptions in Power BI to the next level with the preview of Copilot summaries. This new feature leverages AI to generate concise summaries of your Power BI reports, helping users quickly grasp key insights without diving into the full data. Discover how Copilot is streamlining business intelligence and enhancing productivity.

Here's how to use it:

- Navigate to the Power BI report you’re interested in and select the Subscribe option from the ribbon.

- Choose Standard Subscription.

- Decide how you'd like to receive your report: opt for a full report attachment or a concise summary of the specific page you subscribe to.

- If eligible, your subscription will automatically include the Copilot-generated summary.

- Test your subscription by clicking Send Now after saving it.

Microsoft releases 6 additional modern controls in Canvas in Power Apps

Microsoft Power Apps has introduced six additional modern controls for Canvas apps, now generally available. These new controls, including text input, number input, and date picker, make app development more seamless and user-friendly. With enhanced customization options and intuitive design, building powerful, efficient apps has never been easier.

Here's what's new:

- Text Control: Display text, messages, or key information with customizable properties like text, size, and font color.

- Text Input Control: Allow users to input data seamlessly with features like Value, Mode, and Validation State.

- Number Input: Enable number selection through typing or arrow controls for a smooth user experience.

- Combo Box: Provide users with single or multi-select options from a collection of items.

- Date Picker: Ensure accurate date selection with customizable properties like Format, ValidationState, and OnChange.

- Form Control: Configure a Display form control to present all fields within a record efficiently.

TMDL view in Power BI Desktop is now available in preview mode

Power BI has introduced the TMDL view in preview for Power BI Desktop, offering an exciting new way to work with Tabular Model Definition Language (TMDL). This feature enables users to script, modify, and apply changes directly using TMDL, providing a powerful, code-based alternative for semantic modeling.

How to use this feature:

- Enable it in seconds: Go to File > Options and Settings > Options > Preview Features > Check "TMDL View."

- Effortless metadata management: Reuse Power Query expressions and configure strings seamlessly.

- Code smarter, not harder: Enjoy semantic highlighting, error diagnostics, autocomplete, and more!

- Customize everything: Modify perspectives, translations, and semantic model properties directly in Power BI Desktop.

- Collaborate like a pro: Share and reuse TMDL scripts with ease.

Power Apps enhances ERD table designer to visualize and manage existing tables

Discover how to seamlessly work with existing tables in Power Apps using the enhanced data workspace. This update introduces an improved ERD table designer, making it easier to visualize, edit, and manage tables within your apps.

How to use the enhanced ERD table designer:

- Streamlined table comparison: Easily review existing and new tables side-by-side in the updated ERD table designer.

- Build data model with existing tables: Add existing tables to your workspace manually or leverage Copilot's intelligent recommendations.

- Managed existing tables in the enhanced ERD view: View column details, toggle column visibility, and manage table relationships directly in the improved ERD view.

- Limitations: Existing tables can be added in read-only mode, with editing enabled in a separate tab.

- Global language support: This update, along with other data workspace features, is now available in 20 languages across the globe.

Power Apps released deployment pages for admins and makers in preview mode

Microsoft Power Apps has introduced Maker and Admin Deployment Pages, streamlining app deployment for both creators and administrators. These new pages provide a centralized, user-friendly experience to monitor, configure, and manage app deployment processes efficiently.

Discover the benefits of deployment pages:

For Makers

- Centralized View: Access all deployments in one place, across solutions and pipelines.

- Quick Status Highlights: Easily spot Failed and Active Deployments.

For Admins

- Unified Hub: View all tenant deployments, approve requests, and troubleshoot issues.

- Focused Troubleshooting: Quickly identify and resolve failures with the Failed Deployments view.