Messages are a great way to start a piece of code at a particular time. To create a new message follow these steps:

1. Add the broadcast [message 1 v] block to your code.
2. Click on the down arrow beside 'message 1' in the block.
3. Click on 'New message'.
4. Type in the name of your message. Give it a name that makes sense and you can remember it by.
5. Click the OK button.

If you're using a tablet or iPad without a physical keyboard, you won't be able to use keyboard keys like the arrow keys in your project. Instead, we'll add simple on-screen buttons (using sprites) that you can tap to do the same things. This keeps your project working great! Just follow these steps wherever the lesson talks about pressing a key.

First, add a new sprite for your button:

• Click the "Choose a Sprite" button in the bottom right.
• Pick a simple shape, like an arrow or a circle. Make it small and place it on the screen where it's easy to tap, like the bottom corner.

Now, program your button sprite to make things happen when you tap it. Here's how it works for different situations:

Example 1: If the lesson uses a key to trigger an action on a specific sprite (like making something move, turn, or jump)

Instead of code like this on your target sprite:

when [left arrow v] key pressed change x by (-10) // or any action

Or this:

if < key [left arrow v] pressed? > then change x by (-10) // or any action end

Add this code to your new button sprite:

when this sprite clicked broadcast [do action v]

Then, on your target sprite, add this to receive the message:

when I receive [do action v] change x by (-10) // or any action

Tap the button on the screen, and the action will happen, just like pressing the key! Use a unique broadcast name for each different action or key.

Example 2: If the lesson uses a key to change a variable (like adding to a score or setting a value)

Instead of code like this:

when [space v] key pressed change [score v] by (1)

Or this:

if < key [space v] pressed? > then change [score v] by (1) end

Add a new button sprite. Then, put this code on the button sprite:

when this sprite clicked change [score v] by (1)

(If the variable is "for this sprite only," make sure it's set to "for all sprites" so the button can change it.)

Tap the button, and the variable changes, no message needed since it's something shared!

If you're using a tablet or iPad without a physical keyboard, you won't be able to use keyboard keys like the arrow keys in your project. Instead, we'll add simple on-screen buttons (using sprites) that you can tap to do the same things. This keeps your project working great! Just follow these steps wherever the lesson talks about pressing a key.

First, add a new sprite for your button:

• Click the "Choose a Sprite" button in the bottom right.
• Pick a simple shape, like an arrow or a circle. Make it small and place it on the screen where it's easy to tap, like the bottom corner.

Now, program your button sprite to make things happen when you tap it. Here's how it works for different situations:

Example 1: If the lesson uses a key to trigger an action on a specific sprite (like making something move, turn, or jump)

Instead of code like this on your target sprite:

when [left arrow v] key pressed change x by (-10) // or any action

Or this:

if < key [left arrow v] pressed? > then change x by (-10) // or any action end

Add this code to your new button sprite:

when this sprite clicked broadcast [do action v]

Then, on your target sprite, add this to receive the message:

when I receive [do action v] change x by (-10) // or any action

Tap the button on the screen, and the action will happen, just like pressing the key! Use a unique broadcast name for each different action or key.

Example 2: If the lesson uses a key to change a variable (like adding to a score or setting a value)

Instead of code like this:

when [space v] key pressed change [score v] by (1)

Or this:

if < key [space v] pressed? > then change [score v] by (1) end

Add a new button sprite. Then, put this code on the button sprite:

when this sprite clicked change [score v] by (1)

(If the variable is "for this sprite only," make sure it's set to "for all sprites" so the button can change it.)

Tap the button, and the variable changes, no message needed since it's something shared!