From the Microsoft Power Platform blogs: Custom tools in Copilot; Automate business processes; Build canvas apps with VS Code; Power Apps generative pages

In this review of the Microsoft Power Platform blogs:

• Custom tools and rich UI for app-based conversations are now in public preview
• Automate business processes with agents plus workflows in Microsoft Copilot Studio
• How to build canvas apps faster with VS Code and the Power Platform MCP Server
• Accelerating model-driven app development with Power Apps generative pages

Custom tools and rich UI for app-based conversations are now in public preview

On the Microsoft Power Platform blog, Hemant Gaur wrote that earlier this month, Microsoft said that Power Apps  can now be used inside Microsoft 365 Copilot conversations. This means you can work with your apps directly from Copilot.

Gaur stated that now, Microsoft is taking the next step by adding custom tools and more interactive app features, so you can build and shape experiences the way you want. He added that these new features go beyond the basic tools already available, such as grids and forms that you can turn on quickly in any app. As such, developers can create custom business actions and more engaging, interactive experiences using Copilot and Microsoft Work IQ.

Gaur noted that these tools and features are added to the app's system alongside the existing ones to make Copilot feel less like you're just asking questions and more like you're working together. He then discussed the custom tools and rich UI for app-based conversations that are now in public preview.

Automate business processes with agents plus workflows in Microsoft Copilot Studio

Writing on the Copilot Studio Community Blog, Ashvini Sharma stated that Microsoft has added new features to Microsoft Copilot Studio that help you automate business processes by combining AI agents and workflows.