What is Workflows Agent in Microsoft 365 Copilot?

If you’ve ever wanted to automate tasks in Microsoft 365 without diving all the way into Power Automate, the new Workflows Agent might just be your new best friend. It’s basically Power Automate Light. A simple, conversational way to build workflows right inside Microsoft 365 Copilot.

It’s still early days (think “Frontier” preview), but you can already see how this feature is going to change the way everyday users create automation.

If you are more of a hands-on learner, then check out the quick YouTube video I made: Workflows Agent Explained.

What Is the Workflows Agent?

The Workflows Agent is Microsoft’s new way to build automations right inside Microsoft 365 Copilot. No Power Automate designer, no connectors, no complicated setup screens. You just describe what you want to happen in plain English, and Copilot handles the rest.

Think of it like Power Automate with an AI assistant. You might say something like, “When I get an email from my manager, summarize it and post it in Teams.” Copilot then figures out how to make it happen. It sets up the triggers, picks the right connectors, and even handles the logic for you.

This is a big deal because it makes automation accessible to everyone, not just the folks who already know how to build flows. It’s designed for anyone who wants to save time, streamline repetitive tasks, or experiment with automation; all without ever leaving Microsoft 365.

So, in short: Workflows Agent brings the magic of automation to everyone. It’s early, it’s evolving, but it’s a glimpse into how AI and automation are going to work hand in hand moving forward.

How to access the Workflows Agent

The agent is part of M365 Copilot, and you access the same way you do your other agents. From https://m365.cloud.microsoft/chat click All Agents and then search for Workflows.

If you don't see the Agent, it could be blocked by your administrator or you don't have the required license. You have to have a Microsoft 365 Copilot license to use this Agent.

Building Your First Workflow

Let’s look at how easy it is to build something from scratch.

In Copilot, type something like:

Every time I get an email from chewy, read it and send back a thoughtful reply that includes a dog joke.

That’s it. No clicking through menus or dragging connectors. Just tell it what to do, hit Enter, and watch Copilot build it out.

It’ll automatically recognize that you’re talking about email, set up a trigger for messages from that sender, use AI to generate the reply, and even add an action to send the email back.

Below is an example of what that prompt builds. It gives you insight but there is nothing to configure or modify. The Workflows Agent did all of the work.

Once it’s created, click Save, then hit the Test button to see it in action. When the test runs, you’ll see each step: Trigger, AI analysis, and Reply with green check marks if successful.

Watching the Workflow Run

When the Workflow runs, you can track its progress in real time similar to Power Automate’s run history view. You’ll see when the trigger fires, when AI prompts are processed, and whether the email was sent successfully.

It’s worth noting that because this is still a preview, you’ll sometimes get random errors. Don’t panic! Just re-run the test, and most of the time, it works the second go-around.

Creating More Complex Workflows

The best part about the Workflows Agent is that you can describe just about any automation you’d normally build in Power Automate but in natural language.

Here are a few examples I’ve tested:

1. Recurring Flow Example “Every weekday at 8:00 AM, create a new item in the SharePoint list called Employees, then post a summary message in Teams.”

   This automatically builds a recurring workflow, creates the SharePoint item, and posts in chat. Pro tip: Use the site URL instead of the site name, it works better.

   
   

2. SharePoint + Planner Example “When a new item is created in the SharePoint list Employees, email the creator’s manager, CC me, and create a Planner task to review it.”

   The Workflows Agent will even ask clarifying questions if it needs more info: like whether it should trigger on “Created” or “Created or Modified.”

   
   

3. Planner Automation Example If you include details like the planner group name and plan name, it’ll automatically create the task in the right spot. Otherwise, it tries to guess and sometimes gets it right!

   
   

What Works (and What Doesn’t Yet)

Here’s a quick summary of what Microsoft currently supports with the Workflows Agent:

• Outlook: Sending, reading, and replying to emails.

• Teams: Posting messages (Adaptive Cards still don’t work for me).

• SharePoint: Creating and reading list items.

• Planner: Creating tasks and assigning users.

• Dataverse: Works with AI prompts

• User Profile: Finding managers and related org data.

Remember: this tool is still in Frontier mode. Which means it’s very early. It’s not a full replacement for Power Automate. You can’t edit steps, add conditions, or chain multiple complex branches. It’s meant for lightweight, conversational automation; the kind your users could build in under a minute.

Where Does It Fit With Power Automate?

You might be wondering: “Do I even need Power Automate anymore?” The short answer is yes.

Workflows Agent is perfect for simple, AI-driven automations, but Power Automate still shines when you need fine-tuned control, approvals, loops, custom connectors, or integrations with on-prem systems.

Think of it this way:

• Workflows Agent = “Hey Copilot, automate this small thing for me.”

• Power Automate = “I need a full-blown process with logging, conditions, and approvals.”

But there are some direct connections. You’ll find your created Workflows by going to Power Automate > My Flows > Generative Actions.

Why It Matters

This is a glimpse into the future of automation. One where you describe the what, and AI handles the how. Workflows Agent will empower a whole new group of users who’ve never touched Power Automate before.

And for those of us who’ve been automating for years, it’s another powerful tool in the toolbox. One that can handle small, repetitive tasks without breaking stride. And don't be jealous, if an agent can build a workflow in 30 seconds you weren't really providing value building it over the course of week for someone. Be happy to let go of the simple work.

Final Thoughts

Workflows Agent is one of the most interesting developments in Microsoft 365 Copilot yet. It’s early, sometimes buggy, but clearly the direction Microsoft is going.

If you want to stay ahead of these changes, or need help incorporating AI and automation into your business, that’s what my team at PowerApps911 does every day. We teach Copilot, Copilot Studio, Power Apps, Power Automate, AI Builder, and more. Just hit the Contact Us button and let us know what we can do for you.