Create a custom plugin using an API with Copilot Studio

Question

Hi,

I've been trying to create a custom plugin with Copilot Studio using an external Rest API. No luck for now, I'm lost among all the options I have in front of me.

I started by trying to add a new AI Plugin with three different options :

Generate content

Custom flow

Update or get answers on external data

I started with the third option which sends me directly to Power Automate to create a new custom connector, I'm stuck trying to get that API to work with my custom connector. The app I'm trying to connect to using the API is using SSO and requires admin approval, meaning that, as I'm not an admin on my tenant, I need to get all the OAuth information to set it up and I'm struggling with this.

I then tried the second option, was sent to Power Automate as well but this time to create a custom flow to which I tried adding an http request. Same old OAuth struggling here.

Lastly, I tried creating a copilot to which I could link the new flow I created but it's not showing, I can't find it. When I go to Power Automate my flow is there, when I go to Copilot, it's not. Okay, no worries, I see another option "add an API for a custom connector". Great! I have an API! BUT, it's grayed, so I can't click on this option.

To sum up, I need help setting up an OAuth security, whether it'd be on a custom flow with an http request or a custom connector linked to an external API.

I also need help configuring a copilot with custom connectors or flows.

And finally, how do I set it up in Copilot in Teams? How do I make it available for every Copilot user in my tenant?

Thanks a lot in advance for your help!

Answer 1

I'm looking to build a custom connector to an API also. Since they advertise there are 1000's of connectors one would think this would be an easy and well document process. In my search I just saw the following regarding connectors and OAuth, but it's for some finance Copilot:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/copilot/finance/get-started/custom%20connectors/overview-custom-connectors

Good luck,

Jay