{"id":3674,"date":"2025-05-15T03:16:03","date_gmt":"2025-05-15T07:16:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.mathworks.com\/matlab\/?p=3674"},"modified":"2025-05-15T03:16:03","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T07:16:03","slug":"matlab-r2025a-has-been-released-whats-new","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.mathworks.com\/matlab\/2025\/05\/15\/matlab-r2025a-has-been-released-whats-new\/","title":{"rendered":"MATLAB R2025a has been released – What’s new?"},"content":{"rendered":"
As the first version following MathWorks' 40th anniversary in 2024, MATLAB R2025a is probably the biggest release I've ever experienced as both a user and a MathWorker. The breadth and depth of what's new is so large that it makes my head spin a little and I'm almost not sure where to start in an overview post like this. Almost!<\/span><\/div>
This blog post is just a quick tour through some of my highlights of this release. There are hundreds of new features (or thousands depending on how you count them) and I couldn't possibly discuss them all in an article like this. Head over to <\/span>the full release notes<\/span><\/a> to see all of the details for yourself and keep an eye out on the various <\/span>MATLAB Blogs<\/span><\/a> for deeper dives into the new functionality in the near future.<\/span><\/div>

The new MATLAB desktop<\/span><\/h2>
The first thing you're going to notice on opening the desktop version of MATLAB is that it has a completely refreshed look. The old Java-based desktop is gone and is replaced by one that uses technologies such as JavaScript and HTML for a much more modern experience. Millions of you will find it familiar because it is, in fact, the same desktop that we've been using and developing in <\/span>MATLAB Online<\/span><\/a> for several years now. The new desktop has also been available as a Beta-version add-on for over 2 years (e.g. see my <\/span>blog post from March 2023 <\/span><\/a>discussing it) and we've received feedback on it from thousands of users. There are people at MathWorks who have read and processed every single piece of that feedback! Thank you again to everyone who took the time to tell us how you were getting on with the new desktop.<\/span><\/div>
Now that MATLAB Online and Desktop MATLAB share the same, modern code-base we'll be able to bring new features to you much more quickly. You can expect faster access to cutting-edge tools, streamlined workflows and more frequent updates that help you stay at the forefront of technical computing. Let's look at a summary of some of the new desktop features we've already delivered as part of this release.<\/span><\/div>

Dark mode and improved accessibility<\/span><\/h3>
I previewed this <\/span>over two years ago when the first beta version of the new desktop was released<\/span><\/a> and now its part of the default MATLAB desktop. Join the millions of users of MATLAB Online and rest your eyes in the desktop version of MATLAB. Head over to <\/span>Change Desktop Theme and Colors<\/span><\/a> to learn how to do it.<\/span><\/div>
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On the accessibility front, it's now possible to <\/span>use a screen reader to work with the Command Window, move around the MATLAB desktop tools, and create or edit files in the Editor and Live Editor.<\/span> This was available as a beta for R2024b but is now fully integrated into the product. Screen reader support <\/span>has also been added to figure interaction<\/span><\/a>. You can check out more details in the documentation at <\/span>Accessibility in MATLAB<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/div>

Side panels and documents in the new desktop<\/span><\/h3>
In the new desktop, everything below the toolstrip is either a document or a side panel (and occasionally both!). Roughly speaking, documents are working areas and side panels are supporting tools for various workflows. Documents include things like .m files, figures and Live Scripts. Examples of side panels include the Files Panel (replacing the Current Folder browser), the test browser panel and the Debugger panel. More details including how to configure the new desktop can be found in the documentation page <\/span>Configure the Desktop<\/span><\/a> and I'll follow up with my own tour of the desktop soon.<\/span><\/div>

We want your feedback<\/span><\/h3>
I have no doubt that you have questions and comments about this new desktop and we are here to give you answers. Your options include dropping a comment here,<\/span> starting a conversation over at MATLAB Central<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>contacting support<\/span><\/a> or hit the feedback button right there in the MATLAB desktop; another feature of the new desktop that I<\/span> discussed near the end of March<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/div>
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New figure container and toolstrip<\/span><\/h2>
In older versions of MATLAB, every new figure would be created in its own window. In R2025a, the default behavior is for figures to open as tabs docked in a figure container. There's a lot to say about this new figure ecosystem and the <\/span>MATLAB Graphics and App Building blog<\/span><\/a> will be bringing you all of the details soon.<\/span><\/div>
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MATLAB Copilot<\/span><\/h2>
Generative AI has the potential to transform how engineering and science is done and some of the most popular recent posts on The MATLAB Blog have been on the topic. My October 2024 article, <\/span>4 ways of using Large Language Models (LLMS) with MATLAB<\/span><\/a> needs to be updated because now there is another way.<\/span><\/div>
MATLAB Copilot<\/span><\/a> is a new product from MathWorks that integrates generative AI models with your everyday workflows in MATLAB. Expect to hear a lot more about MATLAB Copilot in future blog posts.<\/span><\/div>
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Further evolution of Live Scripts<\/span><\/h2>
I love live scripts. Indeed, every post on The MATLAB Blog is written as a Live Script that then gets converted to something WordPress can consume using <\/span>wp_publisher from File Exchange<\/span><\/a> so they are part of my daily workflow. One feature that I've been eagerly waiting for is the <\/span>ability to embed YouTube videos into Live Scripts;<\/span> such as this one.<\/span><\/div>