SharePoint Online: Agent Link Web Part and FAQ Web Part
This document provides an overview of AI enabled web parts for use in SharePoint Online, including their benefits, setup process, and how they function to enhance collaboration, streamline workflows, and improve user experience on SharePoint sites.
Agent Link Web Part
- The Agent Link Web Part is not a standard out-of-the-box web part in SharePoint Online but is often implemented as a custom or third-party solution to provide quick access to AI-powered SharePoint agents. These agents, powered by Microsoft 365 Copilot, streamline workflows, enhance collaboration, and allow users to interact with site content efficiently. The Agent Link Web Part typically serves as a visual or interactive component to access or display links to these AI agents on a SharePoint page. Below is a detailed description based on available information and the role of SharePoint agents.
Benefits of the Agent Link Web Part
- Streamlined Access to AI Agents:
- Provides a centralized, clickable interface to access SharePoint agents directly from a SharePoint page.
- Enables users to interact with AI-driven tools too summarize content, answer questions, or perform tasks based on site data.
- Enhanced Collaboration:
- Facilitates team interaction by linking to agents that can query site content, such as documents or libraries, that users have permission to access.
- Supports scenarios like creating customized pitch scripts, summarizing documents, or answering specific questions about site content (e.g., product details or candidate resumes).
- Improved Productivity:
- Automates repetitive tasks, such as generating tables from document libraries or providing quick answers to common queries, freeing up time for strategic work.
- Permission-Based Access:
- Respects SharePoint’s existing permission model, ensuring that users can only interact with agents based on content they are authorized to access.
- Customizable Scope:
- Allows site owners to scope agents to specific sites, document libraries, or even individual files, providing tailored responses based on selected content.
Setup of the Agent Link Web Part
Since the Agent Link Web Part is not a standard SharePoint web part, setup typically involves either a custom SharePoint Framework (SPFx) solution or a third-party web part . Below is a general setup guide based on SharePoint agent creation and web part integration:
- Prerequisites:
- Microsoft 365 Copilot License: Required for creating and interacting with SharePoint agents. Alternatively, a pay-as-you-go model may be available if enabled in your tenant.
- Edit Permissions: Users need edit permissions on the SharePoint site to add web parts or create agents.
- SharePoint Site Access: Ensure the site is configured to allow agent creation and interaction.
- Create a SharePoint Agent:
- Navigate to the SharePoint site where you want to create the agent.
- Access the agent creation interface via one of these entry points:
- Copilot Icon: Click the Copilot icon in the top ribbon and select “Create an agent” from the dropdown menu.
- Document Library: Select specific files or the entire library, then choose “Create an agent” from the top menu or context menu.
- Home Tab: Click the “+ New” dropdown menu and select “Agent.”
- Configure the agent’s scope (e.g., specific documents, folders, or sites) and customize its behavior with tailored prompts.
- Save and approve the agent for use (site owners can set it as the default agent).
- Add the Agent Link Web Part:
- Navigate to the SharePoint page where you want to add the web part.
- Click Edit in the top-right corner of the page.
- Hover over a section and click the + icon to open the web part toolbox.
- Search for a custom web part (e.g., “Agent Link” or a third-party equivalent like “Quick Links” or “Button”) or use an SPFx web part developed for this purpose.
- Configure the web part:
- Add a link to the agent by copying the agent’s URL (available via the “Share” option in the agent list; select the ellipsis next to the agent and choose “Copy Link”).
- Customize the display (e.g., button label, icon, or color) to align with your branding.
- Save the web part configuration and republish the page.
- Test the Agent Link:
- Ensure the link directs users to the agent chat pane, where they can interact with the agent by asking questions or selecting suggested prompts.
How the Agent Link Web Part Works
- Interaction: The Agent Link Web Part acts as a shortcut to open the agent chat pane, typically accessed via the Copilot icon on the SharePoint site. Users click the link or button to launch the agent, which appears in a pane on the right side of the screen.
- Functionality: The linked agent processes queries based on its configured scope (e.g., a document library, specific files, or a hub site and its associated sites). It can:
- Summarize documents or site content.
- Answer questions about permitted content (e.g., “Who has worked in school settings?” for resumes or “Give me a pitch for Product X”).
- Generate tables, FAQs, or translations based on selected files.
- Permission-Based Responses: The agent only uses data the user has access to, ensuring compliance with SharePoint’s security model.
- Customization: Site owners can refine the agent’s behavior by adjusting its scope or prompts, and the Agent Link Web Part can be styled to match the site’s branding.
FAQ Web Part
The FAQ Web Part is an AI-powered feature in SharePoint Online (powered by Microsoft 365 Copilot in Public Preview) designed to create and manage interactive FAQ sections on SharePoint pages and news. It leverages AI to generate relevant questions and answers from grounding sources like documents, presentations, or meeting notes, making it ideal for internal and external communication.
Benefits of the FAQ Web Part
- Improved User Experience:
- Provides quick, searchable answers to common questions, reducing support queries and enhancing self-service for users (e.g., employees, students, or customers).
- Supports onboarding by guiding new staff or students to resources and answers.
- Time-Saving Automation:
- Automatically generates FAQ entries from structured and unstructured content (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, PDFs, Loop, or Teams meeting notes), minimizing manual effort.
- Reduces repetitive inquiries by proactively addressing common questions (e.g., event logistics or HR policies).
- Versatile Applications:
- Events: Summarizes details like schedules, speaker bios, and logistics for conferences or trainings.
- Products: Creates FAQs for product launches, feature updates, or troubleshooting guides to support sales or customer portals.
- Policies: Generates FAQs for HR, IT, or compliance policies, such as leave, benefits, or onboarding processes.
- Customizable and Brand-Aligned:
- Allows authors to refine AI-generated FAQs and customize the look and feel to match company branding (e.g., colors and styles).
- Supports interactive features like search, making it easy for users to find answers.
- Reduced Support Burden:
- By providing up-to-date, accessible FAQs, it decreases the workload on IT, HR, or support teams.
Setup of the FAQ Web Part
The FAQ Web Part is available to organizations with Microsoft 365 Copilot (Public Preview) or through third-party providers like Cloud Design Box for customized versions. Below is the setup process:
- Prerequisites:
- Microsoft 365 Copilot License: Required for the AI-powered FAQ Web Part.
- Edit Permissions: Users need Designer or Edit permissions on the SharePoint site to add and configure the web part.
- Grounding Sources: Ensure relevant documents (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, PDFs) are available in the site or library for the AI to process.
- Add the FAQ Web Part:
- Navigate to the SharePoint site and page where you want to add the FAQ Web Part.
- Click Edit in the top-right corner of the page.
- Hover over a section and click the + icon to open the web part toolbox.
- Search for “FAQ” in the search bar or select it from the “All” dropdown under the appropriate category.
- Add the FAQ Web Part to the page.
- Configure the FAQ Web Part:
- Select grounding sources (e.g., specific documents, presentations, or meeting notes) to generate FAQ categories, questions, and answers.
- Review AI-generated FAQ entries and manually refine them for accuracy and clarity.
- Customize the appearance (e.g., colors, fonts, or layout) to align with your organization’s branding.
- Enable the search feature to allow users to type questions and get instant answers.
- Save and Publish:
- Click Save as draft to save changes or Republish to make the FAQ section live immediately.
How the FAQ Web Part Works
- AI-Powered Generation: The web part uses Microsoft 365 Copilot to analyze grounding sources and extract relevant categories, questions, and answers. For example, it can pull event details from a PowerPoint or HR policies from a Word document.
- Interactive Interface: Users can browse FAQ categories or use the search bar to type questions and receive instant answers, similar to a helpdesk or knowledge base.
- Dynamic Updates: Authors can update FAQs by adding new grounding sources or refining entries, ensuring content remains current.
- Use Cases:
- IT Help Sites: Lists common IT questions (e.g., “How do I reset my password?”) and links to resources.
- Product Portals: Generates FAQs for product features or troubleshooting based on release notes or technical docs.
- Event Management: Provides schedules, bios, and logistics for attendees, reducing repetitive inquiries.
- Accessibility: The FAQ section is organized and categorized for easy navigation, with options to align with accessibility standards (e.g., alt text for images).
Conclusion
The Agent Link Web Part and FAQ Web Part are powerful tools for enhancing SharePoint Online sites. The Agent Link Web Part provides seamless access to AI-driven agents, enabling dynamic content interaction and task automation, while the FAQ Web Part delivers quick, searchable answers to common questions, improving user experience and reducing support burdens. Both web parts leverage Microsoft 365 Copilot’s AI capabilities and integrate with SharePoint’s permission model, making them secure and user-friendly additions to any intranet or team site.
By incorporating these web parts, organizations can create a more interactive, efficient, and user-centric SharePoint environment tailored to their specific needs.
