Copilot in Microsoft Fabric: What You Need to Know

In earlier blog posts, we already explored how Copilot is being embedded into Microsoft’s services; both from a strategic and practical perspective. From the key announcements at Microsoft Ignite 2025 to the upcoming changes in Microsoft 365 heading into 2026, the message is consistent: Copilot is no longer an AI experiment, but a foundational capability across productivity, security, and cloud platforms.

Against that backdrop, it should come as no surprise that Microsoft Fabric is also expanding its Copilot capabilities.

As organizations increasingly rely on Fabric for analytics, data engineering, and reporting, the natural next question becomes: What does Copilot mean in a data platform context? How does it impact governance, security, and the daily work of management, controllers or analysts?

Based on real-world experience from our data experts, we take a closer look at what Copilot in Microsoft Fabric really does. But, just as importantly, what Copilot in Microsoft Fabric doesn’t do, so organizations can assess its value with clarity and confidence.

Copilot works strictly within your existing permissions

One of the most important fundamentals to understand is that Copilot respects your current security model.

Copilot can only access:

• The data a user is already authorised to see

• The workspaces, datasets, and resources they have permissions for

There is no bypassing of role-based access control, no hidden data exposure, and no new security risks introduced by default. This makes Copilot a safe extension of your existing governance model rather than a disruption.

In other words: Copilot doesn’t change who can see what. It simply helps them work faster with what they already have access to.

Adoption can be gradual and controlled

Copilot in Fabric is not an all-or-nothing decision.

Organizations can:

• Enable Copilot per team or per workspace

• Start with a limited group of users (for example, senior colleagues or management)

• Gradually expand adoption as processes and best practices mature
  
  

This phased approach allows you to:

• Measure impact without operational risk

• Adjust internal guidelines and governance where needed

• Build confidence among teams before wider roll-out
  
  

It’s a pragmatic way to introduce AI without overwhelming users or IT teams.

Productivity gains come from reducing repetitive work

Copilot’s real value lies in accelerating everyday analytical tasks, such as:

• Querying data using natural language

• Generating or refining code and expressions

• Creating reports and exploring insights more efficiently

Instead of replacing data engineers or analysts, Copilot acts as a force multiplier. It removes friction from routine tasks, allowing experts to focus more on interpretation, quality, and business value.

The result? Faster insights, smoother reporting cycles, and less time spent on repetitive manual work.

Strong governance remains intact

A common concern with AI-driven tooling is loss of control. With Copilot in Fabric, governance remains central:

• Existing data policies stay in place

• Security and compliance frameworks are respected

• IT and data teams retain visibility and control

This balance between productivity and governance is what makes Copilot particularly relevant for organizations that take data security and compliance seriously.

A practical next step for data-driven organizations

By improving efficiency while maintaining strict access control and governance, Copilot in Microsoft Fabric can play a meaningful role in streamlining analytics, reporting, and data preparation across the organisation.

It’s not about replacing expertise, but about enabling your teams to get more value from their data, faster and more confidently.