Eng:Block Palette

The block palette is an area of the graphical user interface located between the stage, sprite pane and scripting area. It is here that categories of blocks are color-coded and can be clicked to bring up a new set of blocks that can be dragged into the scripting area to program a sprite or the stage. The blocks are located underneath the block categories, and if they overflow the page vertically a scroll bar will be present that does not scroll the block categories but only the blocks themselves.

Using the Palette
By selecting the "Scripts" tab in the upper area of the Scratch program, the block palette will be opened. The block palette consists of every block that is built into Scratch. Some of the blocks take on certain values by default in their parameters, but others are variably controlled depending on the context of the associated sprite's current values. For instance, clicking and manually moving a sprite will adjust the x and y coordinate values within various motion blocks to its current position.

In the block palette, built-in reporter variables such as direction and x position have a checkbox present adjacently to the left of them in the palette. By clicking on this checkbox, it displays that variable on the stage, not in block form, but in the form of its output value. By unchecking the box, it will hide that variable from the stage. Even when a different sprite is selected from the sprite pane or the stage, the variable display will remain present on the stage if it was previously checked.

Blocks can be clicked and dragged into the scripting area via any pixels on the block aside from drop-down arrows. One must click the mouse on a block and hold that click until the mouse pointer has reached the scripting area, after which it can be released to place a block in the scripting area. One does not need the entire block to be contained within the area, as the scripting area will adjust its dimensions to accommodate the block. If a block was grabbed by mistake, simply drop it anywhere outside of the scripting area to remove it.

Right-clicking on a block in the palette reveals only one option, contrary to the multiple that appear when right-clicking on a block in the script area. A "Help" option appears which can provide a good description of the block's behavior for anybody who does not understand its functions. Imagery is provided to assist with the learning process.

Hiding the Block Palette
The only way to hide the block palette is to select either the "Costumes" or "Sounds" tab in the upper area of the Scratch program. This will replace the block palette and associated scripting area with either the paint editor or sound editor. This is due to most monitors having insufficient width to accommodate all of Scratch's features in one display. The tabs provide a mechanism by which certain parts of the program can be hidden or revealed rapidly.

Other Features
The ability to create custom blocks was introduced in Scratch 2.0. The button by which this feature is accessed can be found in the More Blocks category in the block pane. Unlike the other panes, this one by default has no blocks in it; end user-created blocks will be present once they are made. To make a custom block, one must click the "Make a Block" button, from which a window will open where parameters can be entered. Underneath is the "Add an Extension" button for making Scratch work with an extension.