Function (Java Edition)

Functions allow players to run lists of commands using text files with the extension. It is recommended to use ANSI encoding (without BOM) for function files to prevent any problems. This page covers how to use functions in Java Edition.

Usage
To utilize functions, the text files must first be placed into a top-level folder within. The name of the new top-level folder will be the namespace used when running the functions inside. Functions can also be placed into subfolders within the top-level folder. It is also necessary to have a pack.mcmeta file in the [DATA_PACK_NAME] folder.

For example, running the function  will refer to the file located at. If the namespace is left out when trying to call a function, it will default to the  namespace. Using a custom namespace is recommended in order to prevent unintended behavior in the case of future additions to the default namespace.

Functions, being text files, are easily modifiable and less likely than command blocks to induce lag when used in large quantities. If a function is modified or added, using the command will reload the function files from disk. This allows Minecraft to recognize any changes to the function files, without the need to quit and re-enter the world.

Upon successfully running, a message will display in the chat: Executed [amount] command(s) from function '[function file directory]'. Embedded functions won't display this chat messsage. The successful output of the commands inside a function cannot be measured with a comparator (although the same effect could be accomplished with the use of command).

In a singleplayer or a LAN world, like a command block, a function can run any command that is no more restrictive than permission level 2.

On the default multiplayer software, A function can run any command that is no more restrictive than the permission level prescribed in  setting in server.properties.

Function syntax


Within the  file, one valid command is placed per line, without the usual forward slash. Players can add comments within the function text file by beginning a line with.

Individual commands in functions can be longer than the 32,500 character limit in command blocks but the total number of commands run inside a function will still obey, which is 65,536 commands by default; any commands beyond this limit will be ignored.

Running a function
Functions will run all of their commands in a single tick and functions called from within other functions will also run their commands in the same tick as their parent. Functions will use the command environment of whatever called the function. This includes command sender, position, rotation, etc. This command context is preserved for all the commands in the function, so a command will use the saved position context even when a previous command in the same function teleported the original executor to a different position. For example:

execute as @a at @s run function foo:bar

foo:bar teleport @s ~ ~5 ~ setblock ~ ~-1 ~ emerald_block execute at @s run setblock ~ ~-1 ~ diamond_block

When called through a player this function will teleport that player 5 blocks up, place an emerald block one block below their original position before the teleport, and place a diamond block one block below their new position after the teleport.

As seen in the above example, the command context can be updated as usual by their respective sub-commands.

It is suggested to use target selector for the most frequently used entity in a function and use  when calling that function to modify the executor entity to that most frequently used entity. This can simplify content if the entity was selected with target selector arguments and improve performance in general for the reduced iteration through the world entity list.

There are several methods of running a function file in-game:

Commands

 * Allows players to run a function or all functions in a function tag once.
 * Uses the command environment of whatever called the command.
 * Initial command environment may be modified by the command.
 * Usage:
 * Usage:

Advancements
Advancements can run a function once as a reward for completing them. The commands in the function are run through the player who completed the advancement.

Reward functions are called within advancement JSON files using the following format:

{    "rewards": { "function": "namespace:path/to/function/file" } }

Tags
Functions can be grouped together using tags in data packs. These tags can then be called to run all the functions inside that tag with.

Functions tagged in  will automatically run every tick at the beginning of the tick. Functions tagged in  will run after (re)loading the datapack.