In this guide, you will find instructions about SharePoint agents.

A SharePoint AI-powered agent is a tool that helps you find information from SharePoint content and documents using natural language queries. 

Purpose 

SharePoint agents enable you to: 

• Ask questions in natural language about SharePoint content. 

• Quickly retrieve relevant information from SharePoint sites and documents with direct references. 

• Automate repetitive tasks such as summarizing documents and answering questions. 

• Customize agents to fit the needs of a team or project. 

• Simplify information sharing and discovery. 

Prerequisites 

To use SharePoint agents, the following are required: 

• A payment model for the agent, which you can request via the Service Portal: 
   a) Microsoft 365 Copilot license; 
   b) Pay-As-You-Go pricing model, where you pay per message exchanged with the agent. 

• Edit permissions on the SharePoint site (if creating a custom agent). 

• Access rights to the documents and sites defined as agent sources. 

Guide 

1. Using a SharePoint Agent 

Each SharePoint site includes a default agent linked to that site’s content. 

1. Open the desired SharePoint site. 
2. Click the Copilot icon in the top bar.  
3. Ask a question or request a summary of the site content. 
4. The agent will retrieve answers from the site and display results with references. 

2. Creating a Custom Agent 

Only users with edit permissions on the site can create custom agents. 

1. Open the SharePoint document library. 
2. Click the "Create agent" button on the toolbar. 
   
   
   
   
3. Select the content the agent should use (e.g., specific files or folders). 
4. Click "Open agent" to activate it. You can further customize it if needed. 
   
   
   
   

   The agent file (.agent) is automatically saved: 

   • If created from the site's homepage, it is stored in Site Contents > Site Assets > Copilots folder. 
   • If created from a document library or folder, it is stored in the respective location. 
      

   The image shows the .agent file and a conversation window opened on the sidebar:
   
   

3. Customizing an Agent 

1. Locate the .agent file in the SharePoint library. 
2. Click the three-dot menu next to the file and select "Edit." 
3. Adjust the following settings: 
   1. Identity: set the agent’s name, description, and logo. 
   2. Sources: add or remove SharePoint sites, libraries, or files. 
   3. Behavior: define the welcome message, example questions, and instructions. 
4. Save changes. 

4. Sharing an Agent 

After creation, the agent is saved as an .agent file in the SharePoint library. To use the agent, the recipient must have a Microsoft 365 Copilot license or be covered under the pay-as-you-go pricing model. 

1. Locate the .agent file in the SharePoint library. 
2. Click the three-dot menu next to the file and select "Share." 
3. Copy the sharing link and send it to the desired user. 

5. Managing Agents 

Site administrators can manage which agents are visible and available on the site. 

1. Open the SharePoint site. 
2. Click the Copilot icon and select the desired agent. 
3. Use the menu options to edit, share, or delete the agent. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

Who can create SharePoint agents? 

Only users with edit permissions on the relevant SharePoint site. 

Does the agent have access to all site content? 

Agents can only access files and pages that the user has permission to view. 

Do all SharePoint sites include a default agent? 

Yes, each site includes a default agent linked to that site’s content. 

Can I create an agent that uses content from multiple sites? 

Yes, when creating custom agents, you can define multiple SharePoint sites and documents as sources. 

Can I add a web page as a source for an agent? 

No, this is not supported in SharePoint agents, but it is possible using a Copilot Studio agent. (link to relevant wiki) 

Which file types are supported by agents? 

Supported file types include DOC, DOCX, PPT, PPTX, XLSX, PDF, TXT, RTF, HTML, ODT, and ODP. 

Can agents be used in Microsoft Teams? 

Yes, SharePoint agents can be integrated with Microsoft Teams, allowing users to chat with them directly in Teams channels. 

How can agent usage be monitored? 

Site admins can use SharePoint site usage statistics and file details to monitor agent activity. 

Support and Contact Information 

For further assistance or technical support, please contact University of Tartu IT Helpdesk: 

Email: arvutiabi@ut.ee 

IT Helpdesk (arvutiabi) 

References 

Microsoft 365 Copilot UT wiki 

Microsoft guide: Get started with SharePoint agents 

Pay-As-You-Go pricing for agents 

Guide to creating a SharePoint agent 

Guide to editing a SharePoint agent 

Guide to using SharePoint agents 

Keywords 

SharePoint, agent, artificial intelligence, AI, Microsoft 365, Copilot, document management, workflow, automation