Paratext offers a robust support ecosystem, ranging from instant in-app answers to comprehensive online training. Whether you are stuck on a specific command or need deep-dive training for your whole team, help is available.
Here are the key methods to find assistance, divided into In-App Help (for immediate answers) and Online Resources (for training and support).
Part 1: Immediate Help (Inside Paratext)
Use these tools for quick answers without leaving the software.
1. The Search Box: The Quickest Route
The fastest way to find answers is by using the Search menus and help box located on the main title bar.
- How to use it: Click inside the search box, type your query (e.g., “Interlinear” or “Send/Receive”), and wait for results. Note: don’t press Enter after typing your query, unless you want to only see matching help topics, the lower pane shown here).
- Understanding Results:
- Commands (Top): Clicking these opens the menu item or tool immediately.
- Help Topics (Bottom): Clicking these opens documentation explaining the feature.
2. The Built-in Help Window
When you open a Help Topic, the dedicated window provides detailed documentation.
- Blue Text: Clickable links to related topics.
- Green Back Button: Navigates to the previous page.
- Navigation: Scroll to explore additional headers and concepts.
3. Contextual Guides
For complex tasks, Paratext offers “Contextual Guides”—panels that appear to the right of specific dialog boxes to walk you through a process step-by-step.
- To Hide: Click the red X to close the guide if you need more screen space.
- To Restore: Click the “Show guide” button on the dialog box to bring it back.
Part 2: Deep Dive Support (Paratext.org)
Use these resources for training, community support, and troubleshooting.
4. Video Training Library
The Paratext website hosts a vast library of short, topic-specific videos. These are excellent for visual learners who want to see a feature in action.
- Where to find it: Go to the “Videos” section on Paratext.org.
- Offline Access: You can download these videos all together and watch them without an internet connection—crucial for remote teams. See instructions here.
5. Training Manuals & Courses
If you prefer structured learning, Paratext provides comprehensive manuals and course materials.
- PDF Manuals: Downloadable guides that cover every stage of the translation process, from drafting to consultant checking. https://manual.paratext.org/Overview/
- Structured Courses: The “Paratext Training” section offers modules for different roles, such as translators, administrators, or consultants. https://paratext.org/videos/en/paratext-9/
6. Support Agent
Our AI powered support agent has been trained on all of the documentation about Paratext and can answer most questions. It can even speak 95 different languages, so you can direct your team mates to go there for solutions, and it may be able to interact with them in their language. You’ll find the agent in the bottom right corner of paratext.org.
Note that it gets things wrong at times, so it can’t be relied on 100%.
7. The Support.Bible Forum
Sometimes the best help comes from other users. The Support.Bible forum is an active community where you can ask questions and see how others have solved similar problems. You will need to make an account and log in to view answers or to post a question.
- Best for: Niche questions, workflow advice, and “how-to” scenarios that aren’t covered in the standard manual.
8. Direct Support & Feedback
If you encounter a technical bug or have a feature request, you can contact the developers directly through the website.
- Give Feedback: Use link on the main Paratext menu to report software crashes or bugs.
- Have an idea for a new feature? You can use the same link to provide suggestions to the development team.
- Last, but not least, you can send a direct email to [email protected]. Just be warned… we may point you right back to the resources listed above!