This article provides an overview of the range of new features and improvements available in the MakeCode Editor 2020 release at https://makecode.microbit.org You lot can as well find details about this update on the https://makecode.com/blog/ and a walkthrough on mixer.

New music blocks

There are a couple of new, highly requested blocks in the  Music category.

  • Fix Volume was very frequently requested by Teachers in classrooms full of micro:bits and speakers. You tin gear up it to 0 to mute the sound output and upwardly to a maximum of 255.
  • Play Melodywas created by Microsoft intern, Kim and is now available to use with the micro:bit.

Flashing from the browser/Web USB improvements

WebUSB offers a style to dynamically program the micro:bit without having to elevate and drop a hex file onto information technology and information technology's available in chrome-based browsers like Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. The pairing procedure has been made easier in MakeCode and you lot tin can now pair, connect and disconnect your micro:bit from the Download button in the editor.

WebUSB requires the latest micro:bit firmware and a Chrome-based browser such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge

Functions with return values

Functions permit y'all grouping together blocks of lawmaking that you might want to apply multiple times in your programme. They can be found in the Advanced > Functions blocks bill of fare. In addition to calling the function, the new blocks permit you to return a value from that function that can exist used elsewhere in your program.


Collapse/Expand Blocks

You tin can at present collapse and aggrandize clusters of blocks and Functions to help tidy the Workspace and make big programs more readable.

Python language support

In add-on to being able to view your code in Javascript. Y'all can now switch to a Python view in the editor.

This is a MakeCode flavour of Python and not the aforementioned as MicroPython available in the Python Editor and other third party editors, so you won't be able to use MakeCode Python in some other editor.


Lawmaking Debugger

Debuggers are critical tools to help students sympathise the state of their plan execution flow and are often included in lawmaking editors. The Issuesicon in the simulator lets you enter a Debugging style, where yous can step through the program looking for issues. You tin can add together a break point, that lets you lot view the variables bachelor to the program at that signal.

Code degbugger Tutorial

Github Projects

if yous have a GitHub account (Available for those 13 years and older, geographic terms  ), you can at present store MakeCode projects in a GitHub repository. This is neat for grouping projects, version control, and teaching students about open source software development.

Github in MakeCode Tutorial

Intermission & Continue loops

These blocks tin be found in the Loops category and allow you lot to break or exit out of long-running loops, or go on processing after a check or interruption.


Dot-to-Dot Connectors

Boosted indicators have been added to help dragging and dropping embedded blocks to the correct place.


Project name and code options

When you click on a new projection, you lot will at present be prompted to give it a name. The more descriptive, the more smiley hearts :)

Code options besides give you the ability to select betwixt Blocks and text programs or just text-based programs, for teachers who would prefer their students only to work in a text-based coding environment.


MakeCode Multi-Editor https://makecode.com/multi

The multi-editor provides a way to simulate the true experience of running radio programs on the micro:bit. The multi editor provides two separate editor windows to programme your transmitter and your receiver respectively. Create, modify, and test out two programs at the same time. Endeavor out the Multi-edit version of the editor at https://makecode.com//multi.

Writing your own tutorials

Y'all can now write and share Tutorials directly from the editor. A specific URL volition take students directly into the tutorial itself. Useful if you want to walk students through the programme online.


The update also contains the latest Monaco (text editor) with updated tooltips, IntelliSense (autocomplete), QR code sharing for projects, full iPad (touch) support and accessibility improvements for screen readers.

A reminder to those updating content...

  • Correct-clicking anywhere in the workspace allows you to Download a Screenshota PNG of the blocks in order to paste into your document.

  • Sharing the project provides you with code to embed into your website or web log.