Microsoft 365 Copilot Can Now Build Apps From Simple Prompts

Microsoft 365 Copilot can now build apps with natural language prompts, giving organizations a new way to create internal applications without traditional coding.

Microsoft is rolling out the new app-building experience in Copilot Cowork, according to MC1469329.

Users can describe the application they want, and Copilot Cowork will generate an initial version that they can refine, test, and eventually publish.

Copilot Cowork can build and test apps from prompts

The new experience focuses on natural-language development. Instead of writing code from scratch, users can explain what an app should do and then continue refining it through additional prompts.

During the development process, users can test the generated app and make changes before publishing it.

The apps can also connect to organizational data through approved connectors. Microsoft says existing workplace policies and governance controls will continue to apply.

IT administrators will eventually have the option to publish completed apps across their organization through the Microsoft 365 admin center.

Copilot Studio will offer additional customization

Microsoft is also bringing similar app-building capabilities to Copilot Studio.

Users will be able to take applications created with AI and further refine or customize them through Copilot Studio. Microsoft expects that functionality to arrive within the next few weeks.

This gives organizations another route for expanding an app after Copilot Cowork creates the initial version.

Development happens inside a personal sandbox

Microsoft says apps are created inside a personal sandboxed environment while users develop them.

The sandbox keeps the development process isolated from the organization’s infrastructure while Microsoft applies existing workplace policies by default.

That should allow users to experiment with AI-generated applications without immediately exposing internal systems to unfinished apps.

The preview is limited to Frontier customers

The new app-building experience remains in preview and will initially reach organizations enrolled in Microsoft’s Frontier program.

Users also need an eligible Microsoft 365 Copilot license and access to Copilot Cowork.

Microsoft says the rollout started on September 8 and will continue through September 14, 2026. Copilot Studio’s corresponding app-development features should arrive a few weeks later.

In other news, Microsoft 365 Copilot Domain Exclusion is rolling out again after Microsoft suddenly paused the feature last month. Microsoft has also showcased a new AI workflow that can build WinUI 3 apps faster than before.

Via Neowin