The idea behind Sefaria’s source sheet editor has always been to make it easier for users to combine and share Torah texts. That’s why we launched an updated version of the source sheet editor in 2022 and a browser extension that integrates the library with Google Docs in 2024.
After April 27, 2025, the older version of the editor will be retired, and the updated editor will become the default for all users.
In order to support you during this transitional time, we’ve collected responses to the most commonly asked questions below. In addition, make sure to take a look at this guide for using the updated source sheet editor and a guide for using our Google Docs browser extension.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the old editor become unavailable?
After April 27, 2025, the old editor will no longer be available to users.
Why is Sefaria switching completely to the updated editor?
After much consideration, we’ve decided it’s time to retire the older software. There are several reasons behind this decision:
- As technology marches on, supporting both versions of the editor is no longer technically feasible.
- The updated editor is better equipped to handle a range of devices, making it easier to create clean, responsive documents that look great whether you’re on mobile or desktop. Unfortunately, in order to add multi-device versatility, some formatting options had to be retired, such as highlighting within a source.
- The Sefaria for Google Docs extension enables seamless integration between Sefaria's library and Google Docs, allowing users to rely on Docs as a platform for advanced page layout and styling even beyond the capabilities of the older Sefaria sheet editor. It also allows for easy printing.
Will I be able to view and edit my sheets in the new editor if they were created in the old editor?
Absolutely! All sheets can be viewed regardless of which editor was used to create them. Formatting options that are not supported by the updated editor will be retained in most cases. Please note, however, that they will no longer be editable.
For example: If your sheet features colored text, it will still appear in your chosen color, but you will no longer be able to change that color or continue to type in that color once the older version of the editor has been retired.
Will I notice any difference in my sheets after the switch?
You might, depending on the specific format of your sheets. That being said, most sheets will be fully retained in their existing format. In order for the updated editor to be usable across devices, some formatting options had to be retired, such as highlighting within a source. In most cases, these formatting options will be retained but will not be changeable after switching to the updated editor.
For example: Highlighted text will appear the same after you switch to the new editor. However, as that feature will no longer be available, you won’t be able to remove the highlight or highlight any other text in the sheet.
Please note: When sharing your source sheets with others, viewers will already see your sheets in a format compatible with the updated editor on Sefaria, regardless of what editor version those sheets were created on. This means that you can log out or view a sheet in a different browser in order to get a preview of what the sheet will look like in the new editor.
What should I do to prepare for the switch?
If you would like to preserve your sheets as they currently exist, you can either export them to Google Docs or print them as PDFs. Once a sheet has been exported to Google Docs, you can use the Sefaria for Google Docs extension to continue adding, formatting, and citing sources from the library.
- To export your sheet to Google Docs, click on the circular icon with three vertical dots, found on the top right corner of the sheet. This will open the Resource Panel. Click Export to Google Drive, found next to a Google Drive icon.
- To print your sheet as a PDF, open your browser’s File menu and click Print to select. Then click Save as PDF or Open as PDF and follow the provided instructions.
If I have already switched to the new editor, is there anything that I can do to retain formatting?
No, if you have already switched to the new editor your sheets will already be aligned with formatting found in the new editor.
I already switched, is there anything that I need to do?
No, you’re all set!
Are there other options besides using the new editor?
Yes! Sefaria for Google Docs is a great option for those who want to integrate sources from the library into their projects. The extension allows you to add, cite, and format any source from the library (among other features). For a full overview of how to use Sefaria for Google Docs, you can either check out this instructional source sheet or watch our webinar.
Since there are fewer editing and formatting options on the new editor, how can I make my sheet really great?
As mentioned above, the updated editor is designed to enable more streamlined use across multiple devices. In order to allow this versatility, some formatting options had to be retired, such as highlighting within a source.
To create sheets that require more sophisticated editing or formatting, we recommend exporting your source sheet to Google Docs (as explained above). Then, use all the tools available in Google Docs to create the sheet you’re envisioning.
How do I export a sheet to Google Docs?
To export a sheet to Google Docs, click on the circular icon with three vertical dots, found on the top right corner of the sheet to open the Resource Panel. Then click Export to Google Drive, found next to a Google Drive icon. To continue adding sources seamlessly, ensure you’ve downloaded and enabled Sefaria for Google Docs.
What help materials are available for the new editor?
To learn more about using the new editor, explore this how-to guide.
How do I get Sefaria for Google Docs and where are the instructions?
You can download Sefaria for Google Docs from the Google Marketplace. Click on the Install button and follow the provided instructions. You can also see instructions for using the browser extension in this guide, created by the Sefaria team.
How do I add sources to a sheet in the new editor?
To add a source directly from the library:
- Find the source in the library and click on any passage of text to open the Resource Panel.
- Select the text that you would like to add to the sheet.
- In the Resource Panel, scroll down to Add to Sheet and click to select.
- Select the sheet you would like to add the source to.
To add a source from within the sheet:
- In the + menu, click on the first icon (a quotation mark).
- Type the citation to open a dropdown menu with text options.
- Click Add Sources.
What’s the best way to print a sheet in the new editor?
The best way to print a sheet that has been created using the new editor is by exporting the sheet to Google Docs, then printing from your browser menu. While you do need a Google account to export a sheet to Google Docs, it’s not necessary to have Sefaria for Google Docs installed. However, in order to add, cite, and format sources as easily as possible, it’s best to download our browser extension.
How do I edit a sheet in the new editor?
The new editor only has one mode — editing mode. This means you can edit directly on the sheet as you would in any other word processing software, such as Google Docs or Microsoft Word. Simply log in to your Sefaria account and open the sheet you would like to edit.
How do I delete or move sources or text in a source sheet?