Autofill columns use AI to analyse documents and automatically add selected information to SharePoint columns. Instead of opening every file to find a date, owner, value or status, teams can see that information directly in the document library.

Microsoft describes Autofill as a way to extract, summarise or generate content from uploaded files and save the response as metadata in a designated SharePoint column.

That depends on the document and the process. Examples include contract renewal dates, supplier names, policy owners, approval status, project references, financial values and short summaries.

The most useful fields are agreed during discovery and tested against representative documents before they are used more widely.

Yes. Autofill columns can be added to an existing SharePoint document library, allowing you to improve how information is organised without moving or renaming the original files. Microsoft states that files are not moved, renamed or deleted when Autofill columns are created. 

Dovetail can review the current library structure, document types, metadata and permissions to identify what can be improved.

Yes, the solution is designed around your existing SharePoint access controls and governance model. Microsoft notes that existing permissions and access controls continue to apply when Autofill columns are used.

Dovetail also reviews confidential libraries, role-based access and who should be able to see extracted information, dashboards and automated actions.

Requirements depend on the capabilities you want to use and your organisation’s existing Microsoft 365 configuration. A simple use case may only require Autofill and improved SharePoint views, while other processes may benefit from Power Automate, Copilot or a custom SPFx experience.

Dovetail checks licensing, SharePoint readiness, permissions and governance requirements before recommending a solution. This avoids assuming that every organisation needs the same technology.

We begin with one document-heavy process and a clear business outcome. Dovetail identifies the information that matters, reviews the technical environment, configures and tests the Microsoft tools, and builds any required views, workflows or custom SharePoint experiences.

A focused pilot can then be used to measure accuracy, time saved and process improvements before considering wider adoption.