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Copilot Studio Using MCPs To Record Data as A Variable In Topics via Nodes

Max SH 0 Reputation points
2025-11-10T17:52:23.69+00:00

Hello there,

I'm currently using an MCP connected within Copilot Studio, but I'm unable to call the MCP in a topic. I can call other tools, which are connectors, via the 'Call a Tool' node in the topic, but not MCPs as they do not show up as an option. I can confirm that the MCP is connected and working correctly as I can speak with the agent to request the information via the chat box, but not in the nodes of the topic.

What I want to do is in the topic to send an automatic message to the AI agent at start up, the agent to use the MCP connector to retrieve the data asked and save it into a variable for later use in the conversation (or saved to a file and updated as needed, but one step at a time).

The only way I've seen to ask a question directly is through the 'Generative Answers' node, but that lacks access to tools of the agent. Same with Power Automate flows that are linked as a node to ask the agent a question, as they also don't have access to the agents tools.

I also tried having a quick response button on start-up to send a message to the agent to get the data needed, but there isn't an option to save the agents response as a variable from what I saw.

Is there any current way to call the agent in Copilot Studio automatically in the topic via nodes to get data via an MCP, and save it to a variable?

Thank you for your time.

Microsoft Copilot | Other
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  1. AI answer

    2025-11-10T17:52:51.8966667+00:00

    In Copilot Studio, while you can connect to an MCP and use it for retrieving data via chat, it seems that calling MCP tools directly within a topic node is not currently supported. The MCP tools are designed to be integrated and accessed through the chat interface rather than through the nodes of a topic.

    To achieve your goal of sending an automatic message to the agent at startup and saving the response as a variable, you might consider the following workaround:

    1. Use a Generative Answers Node: Although you mentioned that this lacks access to tools, it can still be used to initiate a conversation with the agent. You can set it up to ask a specific question that the MCP can respond to.
    2. Store Responses: While the Generative Answers node may not directly save responses as variables, you can structure your conversation flow to capture the necessary information and then use it in subsequent nodes.
    3. Explore Quick Response Buttons: If you have quick response buttons, ensure they are configured to trigger the necessary questions to the agent, but be aware that saving responses might still be limited.

    Currently, there seems to be no direct method to call MCPs in topic nodes to retrieve data and save it as a variable. You may want to keep an eye on updates from Microsoft regarding enhancements in this area.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. Karan Shewale 2,505 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff
    2025-11-12T06:19:51.9+00:00

    Hi Max SH,

    Right now, Copilot Studio doesn’t let you call MCP (Model Context Protocol) tools directly inside a topic using the “Call a Tool” node. Even if your MCP connection works fine in the chat, it won’t show up as an option in the topic flow — that’s just how the system currently works.

    If you want to pull data from your MCP and save it as a variable, the best way is to turn your MCP endpoint into a custom connector or trigger it through a Power Automate flow. You can then call that connector inside your topic using the “Call a Tool” action. Once you get the data back, use the “Parse value” and “Set variable value” nodes to store it in a variable for later use in the conversation.

    If you’re using Generative Orchestration, your Copilot agent can use MCP tools during AI-generated responses, but you still can’t store those results directly in variables or control the flow through nodes yet.

    So for now, there’s no built-in way to automatically call an MCP tool when a topic starts and save its output to a variable. Microsoft is working on expanding MCP features, so this capability should come in future updates.

    1. Official Documentation:
    2. Extend your agent with Model Context Protocol
    3. Work with variables
    4. Use connectors in Copilot Studio
    5. Ask a question

    Thank you.

    Karan Shewale.

    If this response resolves your issue, please Accept the answer and, if helpful, click the “Upvote” button. Your feedback helps us improve and assist others more effectively.

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