If your team is using Power BI Premium, you’re already investing in enterprise-level analytics. But what many organisations don’t realise is this: Power BI is no longer a standalone product, it’s now part of a much broader platform called Microsoft Fabric. And that shift changes everything about how you access, manage, and use data.
One of the most exciting new tools in Fabric is something called Fabric Data Agents. It’s like a digital assistant that lets you ask questions in plain English, such as “How are sales performing this month?”— and it pulls the answers together for you (without you needing to create new dashboards or have a STEM degree)
This blog will walk you through what Fabric is, what these Data Agents can do, and why they’re worth knowing about, especially if you’re already paying for Power BI.
What Is Microsoft Fabric? (And Why It Matters for Power BI Users)
Microsoft Fabric is the new platform that brings together all of Microsoft’s data tools into one connected system. It’s designed to help businesses do more with their data — faster, more securely, and with less reliance on technical teams.
If you’re using Power BI Premium, here’s the key thing to know:
Microsoft Fabric is not optional, it’s becoming the new standard.
When your Power BI Premium license is renewed, it will automatically transition to Microsoft Fabric.
So what does that mean in practice?
Power BI is now part of a larger ecosystem. Fabric includes everything behind the scenes that makes reporting possible, data storage, preparation, security, real-time analytics, and AI tools like Data Agents.
Instead of using separate tools to collect data, clean it, analyse it, and report on it, Fabric connects the dots all under one roof.
Here’s what it offers:
- Centralised data – All your data lives in one secure place.
- Connected tools – From raw data to visual reports, it all happens within Fabric.
- Smarter insights – With tools like Fabric Data Agents, your team can ask questions in plain English and get real answers, fast.
Built-in compliance – Everything stays in line with Microsoft’s enterprise-level security standards.
What Are Fabric Data Agents?
Fabric Data Agents are a new feature in Microsoft Fabric that make it easier for your team to get answers from your data.
They work a bit like ChatGPT for your business data. Instead of going into Power BI to dig through dashboards or waiting on an analyst to build something, you can simply type a question like:
“What were our top-selling products in Q1?”
“How did our website traffic affect online sales last month?”
The agent looks across multiple data sources, understands what you’re asking, and returns a clear, useful answer. It might even pull information from different places, like sales data, website analytics, and customer feedback and join them together to give you the full picture.
How Are Fabric Data Agents Different to Power BI Q&A?
If you’ve used Power BI’s Q&A feature before, you might be wondering: what’s the difference?
Here’s how Fabric Data Agents take things further:
| Power BI Q&A | Fabric Data Agents |
| Limited to one dataset | Can search across multiple sources |
| Works in a single dashboard | Works across your whole data estate |
| No memory | Remembers follow-up questions and context |
| Basic answers | Can run complex logic and even explain how it got the result |
Why This Matters for Business Teams
In many businesses, data use is still reactive, waiting on someone to build a report, update a dashboard, or explain the numbers. Fabric Data Agents flip that model completely.
Here’s how:
1. Faster Access to Answers
You no longer have to wait days (or weeks) for someone to build a report. Just ask a question in plain English and get an answer instantly. This means quicker decisions, fewer bottlenecks, and less back-and-forth with the data team.
2. More People Can Use Data
Not everyone in your business is comfortable with Power BI dashboards. Data Agents make insights more accessible, whether you’re in finance, HR, operations or marketing. If you can type a question, you can use them.
3. Better Use of Your Existing Data
Data often lives in separate systems and tools. Fabric Data Agents can pull it all together behind the scenes, so you get a complete view of what’s happening, without needing to understand where everything is stored.
4. Consistency and Trust
Every answer from a Data Agent comes with a full explanation of:
- What data was used
- What logic or calculations were applied
- How the result was generated
That means more transparency and fewer “Where did that number come from?” moments in meetings.
5. Stronger Governance
Because Data Agents work within Microsoft’s secure environment, access is fully controlled. Employees can only see the data they’re allowed to see, and sensitive information stays protected, helping you stay compliant with internal policies and external regulations.
How to Get Started with Fabric Data Agents
If you’re already using Power BI Premium, the good news is: you’re closer than you think. Microsoft Fabric is already part of your environment, and setting up Fabric Data Agents is a natural next step.
Here’s what you’ll need to get started with Fabric Data Agents:
1. Power BI Premium (F64 or Higher)
Fabric Data Agents are only available for organisations with a premium capacity (F64 or above). If you’re not sure what level you’re on, your IT or licensing partner can confirm this.
2. Fabric Settings Enabled
Your Microsoft Fabric environment needs a few key settings turned on:
- Fabric tenant settings
- Copilot and AI features
- Cross-region data processing (for AI tools)
These are usually managed by your Microsoft 365 admin or IT team.
3. A Data Source in Fabric
You’ll need at least one of the following in place:
- A Fabric Lakehouse
- A Fabric Data Warehouse
- A Power BI semantic model
- A KQL (real-time analytics) database
Most Power BI Premium users already have semantic models they can connect, so this isn’t as technical as it sounds.
4. Set Up and Customise Your Agent
Once the technical pieces are in place, your team can:
- Add common business questions and sample answers
- Teach the agent key business terms (e.g. “revenue” = “total sales”)
- Connect the agent to specific datasets or departments
Think of this as onboarding your agent, so it understands your business, your language, and your priorities.
A Smarter Way to Work With Data
If your organisation is already investing in Power BI Premium, then you’re closer than ever to unlocking the full value of your data. Microsoft Fabric, and specifically Fabric Data Agents, represent a major shift in how teams can access and use insights day-to-day.
This isn’t just a new feature. It’s a new way to work. And with AI tools becoming a bigger part of everyday operations, now is the time to ensure your data strategy is keeping up.
Whether you’re ready to explore what Fabric can do, or you’re just starting to map out what’s next for your reporting environment, Bespoke XYZ can help you figure out the right next steps for your team.
Curious about what Fabric could look like in your business? Let’s start with a conversation.
