Microsoft Fabric Copilot now assists with writing DAX queries in the latest Power BI update

Microsoft continues to push the boundaries of AI-driven analytics with the latest Power BI update. This release brings new capabilities designed to enhance productivity and streamline data analysis, making it easier than ever for users to unlock insights. With AI playing a bigger role in business intelligence, this update marks another step toward smarter, more efficient reporting in Power BI.

Here’s how to use this feature:

- Copilot in DAX Query View: Use the Copilot button in Power BI Desktop or the browser to generate or explain DAX queries inline.

- Descriptions: Provide additional context for tables, columns, or measures to help users understand their purpose.

- Synonyms: Allow alternative names for elements to improve Copilot's ability to recognize different terminology.

- Sample Values: Offer example data to enhance Copilot’s understanding and improve DAX query suggestions.

Boost mobile offline data monitoring with Azure Monitor Application Insights

Managing offline data efficiently is crucial for mobile users of Dynamics 365, and Microsoft is enhancing this experience with new insights. The latest updates bring Application Insights integration, allowing IT professionals to monitor mobile offline data performance, diagnose issues, and optimize usage. Learn how these improvements can enhance reliability and user experience in the full blog post.

Benefits of using Azure Monitor Application Insights:

Create actionable dashboards – Build queries and dashboards to monitor mobile offline telemetry and gain deeper insights.

Identify potential issues early – Test offline mode during user acceptance testing to analyze real-world sync times and detect errors before they impact users.

Optimize sync performance – Investigate and refine slow-running queries to ensure efficient offline data synchronization.

Track data changes effectively – Monitor record volumes and sync duration to measure improvements and adapt to evolving business needs.

Enhance coding experience in Visual Studio 2022 with collapsed text indicators

Visual Studio is making it easier to navigate your code with customizable collapsed text indicators. A new update allows you to personalize how collapsed regions appear, improving readability and efficiency. Check out the latest enhancements and learn how to tailor them to your workflow.

Here are the benefits of using this feature:

- Easier Navigation: Distinguish different sections of collapsed text with enhanced visual cues for better readability.

- Customizable Appearance: Set unique colors for both collapsed and expanded text indicators to personalize your editor.

- Simple Setup: Navigate to Tools > Options > Environment > Fonts and Colors to tailor your collapsed text indicators.

- New Customization Options: Modify two new entries in the Text Editor settings: Collapsed Text Indicator (Collapsed) and Collapsed Text Indicator (Expanded).

- Full Control: Customize both the foreground and background colors independently for a more intuitive coding environment.

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.