New Copilot experience in Dataflow Gen2: Natural language to custom column
Dataflows have great capabilities to help you add new columns. It has an extensive section in the ribbon that helps you create new columns based on the data of your table.
For scenarios in which you wish to have full control over how the new column should be created, you can opt for the Custom column experience. This experience brings you a dialog where you can input your own Power Query formula that has the logic to create your new column. But what if you could have copilot create that formula for you?
Introducing a smarter way to create Custom columns with Copilot
We’re excited to announce a revolutionary update to the custom column experience! Imagine being able to simply describe the logic you need for your column, and Copilot will take care of the rest. With the new copilot experience inside the custom column dialog, you’ll find a special input textbox marked with the Copilot icon, ready to turn your descriptions into actionable formulas:
How it works
Here’s how this incredible tool can simplify your workflow:
- Start by describing what you want your custom column to do—in your own words and in your preferred language.
- Copilot processes your description, generating a custom column formula tailored to your needs. It can even add a name and data type if necessary.
Need to implement complex conditional logic? Simply describe the rules, and Copilot will craft the formula for you.
For instance, if your table includes fields such as OrderID, Quantity, Category, and Total, you might input a description like this:
If the Total order is more than 2000 and the Category is B, then provide a discount of 10%. If the total is more than 200 and the Category is A, then provide a discount of 25% but only if the Quantity is more than 10 otherwise just provide a 10% discount.
Why this matters
Copilot interprets these instructions and instantly generates the formula, saving you time and effort. Whether you’re streamlining discounts or managing intricate calculations, this tool ensures accuracy and efficiency, empowering you to focus on your priorities
This new capability will start rolling out next week on May 26, 2025 worldwide. Experience the power of descriptive logic with Copilot and transform how you create custom columns!
