File Read/Write with MakeCode

Soon, users coding with MakeCode in Minecraft Education can read and write files locally. Students can learn programming input/output concepts in Minecraft using .txt and .csv filetypes. Currently this feature can be tested in the Preview, only on Windows and Mac.

This new coding feature supports a much-requested computer science curriculum need. Now you can get even more creative with your code in Minecraft!

We’d love your early feedback on this sample python lesson plan. Send your thoughts to our form here.

Also, check out our example video on Coding File Output in MakeCode!

Examples of How to Read and Write with files using MakeCode in Minecraft

Python

Open a Python coding MakeCode project in a Minecraft Education world.

Example code (Windows):

file.write_file(" C:/Users/<insert username here>/Desktop/<filename>.txt ",
    "words")
 
contents = file.read_file("C:/Users/<insert username here>/Desktop/<filename>.txt") player.say(contents)

Blocks

Open a block coding MakeCode project in a world.

Add the “File” extension to your project to easily navigate to a folder on your device.

To add the Extension, click on “Extensions,” then in the Search box, enter “File.” Select the File Read & Write extension.

File Picker:

JavaScript

Open a JavaScript coding MakeCode project in a world.

To select the file location, type it in as text or use the file picker.

player.say("Writing to a .csv on my Desktop now")
file.writeFile("C:/Users/<insert username here>/Desktop/<filename>.csv", "words");
player.say("---done writing!---") 
 
player.say("I am going to read out the contents of my file")
let contents = file.readFile("C:/Users/<insert username here>/Desktop/<filename>.csv") player.say(contents)

Known Issues

This functionality is not currently supported on Chromebook and iOS devices.

FAQs

Can my code create a new folder?

No, you can write to C:/<xyzfolder>/written.txt provided that the C:/<xyzfolder>/ folder already exists. 

(xyzfolder is an example folder name. The name is not important)

Can my code access folders that are locked down on my device?

No, only folders which the logged in user has permissions to access can be interacted with.

Will the data file associated with my world and coding project be backed up to the cloud?

Your data will not be backed up to the cloud by Minecraft. If the local folder your data is in, on your device is synched, then that process should continue.

Can I rename a file with code in Minecraft?

No.

If I delete a project from MakeCode, will the associated data files that were created be deleted from my device?

No, you can clean up the data files used with Minecraft as you wish on your local device separate from Minecraft & MakeCode.

Troubleshooting Download & Sync Errors

If you got this error:

Error 2: No such file or directory exists.

Check that the folder exists, has been spelled correctly, and the path is correct.

If you have any issues, please contact support or post a thread in the “Technical Support” area of the forums.