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The transition from traditional document storage to Agentic AI in SharePoint represents a fundamental shift in how organizations interact with their data.1 While generative AI (like basic chatbots) can answer questions, Agentic AI goes a step further by acting as an autonomous “digital teammate” that can plan, reason, and execute multi-step workflows directly within your SharePoint environment.
What is Agentic AI in SharePoint?
Unlike a standard search bar or a simple generative AI that just summarizes text, an AI Agent in SharePoint is a goal-oriented system. It doesn’t just wait for a prompt; it understands the context of your site’s document libraries and can perform actions on your behalf.
- Autonomy: It can complete tasks (like cross-referencing five different project specs) without constant human hand-holding.
- Reasoning: It evaluates the content of your files to provide insights, not just keyword matches.
- Specialization: You can create specific agents for different needs—a “Legal Review Agent” for your Contracts site or a “Technical Support Agent” for your IT Wiki.5
Key Capabilities and Features
Microsoft has integrated agentic capabilities into SharePoint primarily through Microsoft 365 Copilot and Copilot Studio.
One-Click Agent Creation
In modern SharePoint sites, users can now create an agent with a single click.7 These agents are automatically grounded in the site’s specific document libraries, meaning they only “know” what is in those folders, ensuring high accuracy and relevance.
Intelligent Information Retrieval
Traditional search often fails with complex queries like “Which project is at risk based on the latest three status reports?” An Agentic AI parses these documents, understands the sentiment and dates, and provides a reasoned answer with citations.
Proactive Workflow Automation
Beyond answering questions, these agents can:
- Autofill Columns: Automatically extract data from a PDF (like an invoice amount or a contract date) and populate SharePoint list columns.
- Suggest Automations: Recommend Power Automate flows based on how documents are being used (e.g., “Would you like me to notify the manager when a new ‘High Priority’ document is uploaded?”).
Real-World Use Cases
| Department | Use Case | Agentic Action |
| Human Resources | Policy Navigator | An agent that guides employees through complex leave policies, checks their specific eligibility, and drafts the request email. |
| Finance | Invoice Auditor | Automatically reviews uploaded invoices against existing contracts in another library to flag overcharges. |
| Legal | Contract Analyst | Scans new agreements for “non-standard” clauses by comparing them against the organization’s approved template library. |
| Project Mgmt | Status Aggregator | Pulls data from dozens of weekly Word docs to create a single PowerPoint summary for leadership. |
How to Implement Agentic AI in Your Tenant
Method A: SharePoint Built-in Agents (Declarative)
This is the “low-code” approach. By clicking the Agent icon in a SharePoint library, you can create a tool that is instantly ready to answer questions about those specific files. You can customize the name, tone, and specific folders it should use as its “brain.”
Method B: Copilot Studio (Advanced)
For complex needs, you can build an agent in Microsoft Copilot Studio and publish it to a SharePoint site. Â This allows the agent to:
- Connect to external APIs (like a CRM or ERP).
- Use multi-agent orchestration (where one agent “asks” another for specialized info).
- Operate with specific “identity passthrough” to ensure it only sees what the user is allowed to see.
Governance and Security
A common concern with Agentic AI is oversharing. Microsoft addresses this through several layers:
- Permissions-Based: The agent cannot access any document that the user interacting with it doesn’t already have permission to see.
- Entra Agent ID: Every AI agent has a verifiable identity, allowing IT admins to track its actions and usage via the Power Platform Admin Center.
- Sensitivity Labels: Integration with Microsoft Purview ensures that “Confidential” files remain protected and aren’t used to generate public-facing responses.
