Domain 1 of 3 · Chapter 20 of 22

Configure generative answers node

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Included in this chapter:

  • Where this node lives and what it lets you configure
  • Adding the node and giving it a query
  • Choosing what the node searches
  • Classic data: sources that exist only on the node
  • Authenticating retrieval for protected sources
  • How orchestration mode changes what the node is for
  • Moderation on the node, and which setting wins
  • Capturing the answer instead of sending it
  • Designing the path when no grounded answer arrives
  • Allow ungrounded responses and the blocked turn
  • How these choices show up in questions

What one generative answers node can be pointed at (the Data source surface)

PropertySearch only selected sources off (default)Search only selected sources onClassic data
What the node searchesEvery knowledge source configured on the agentOnly the sources ticked in the node's listThe Bing Custom Search, Azure OpenAI or Custom data configured on this node
Reacts to agent-level source changesYes, additions and removals are reflected automaticallyNo, the selection replaces the agent-level set for this nodeNo, it is configured on the node only
Trigger conditions on a sourceStill applyIgnored for explicitly selected sourcesNot applicable
If it returns nothingThe agent's whole set was already in scope for this nodeNo automatic fall back to the agent's other knowledge sourcesNo automatic fall back to the agent's other knowledge sources
Appears in the node's Knowledge sources listNot applicable, the list is the agent's own setYes, you tick members of the agent's setNo, these three are configured under Classic data instead
Under generative orchestrationThe orchestrator can also search knowledge without reaching this nodeThe node still governs the turn that runs itSupported only inside a topic node, and customizations to Conversational boosting are not used

Decision tree

Choosing the grounding for one nodeDoes the content livein a knowledge source?NoYesReachable by Bing CustomSearch or Azure OpenAI?Restrict this topic to afixed subset of them?YesNoNoYesClassic data, Search publicdata, paste Configuration IDFetch it yourself, thenClassic data, Custom data,setting on, nothing selectedLeave Search only selectedsources off, tracks changesSetting on, tick the subset,trigger conditions ignored,no fall back, author the gap
Cheat sheet

Cheat sheet

  • Add Create generative answers from the topic Advanced menu
  • Use selected node sources to override agent-level knowledge for that call
  • Configure custom variable content through Classic data
  • Use manual Entra authentication for protected node sources that require it
  • Expect explicitly selected knowledge to be searched every time
  • Store the generated answer and clear Send a message for custom rendering
  • Configure fallback when grounded sources don't answer
  • Set content moderation intentionally for the node's risk profile
  • Require a knowledge or tool call on each grounded turn
  • Let generative-answers node moderation override agent-level moderation

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Also tested in

References

  1. Add a generative answers node
  2. Work with variables
  3. AI-based agent authoring overview
  4. Use a custom data source for generative answers nodes
  5. Search public data or use a Bing Custom Search for generative answers nodes
  6. Knowledge sources summary
  7. Configure user authentication in Copilot Studio
  8. Generative answers pointing to SharePoint sources don't return results
  9. Connect and configure an agent for Teams and Microsoft 365 Copilot
  10. Orchestrate agent behavior with generative AI
  11. Work with global variables
  12. Use system topics