General
# How do I use a QWERTY keyboard to type Gurmukhi?
Please reference the following keyboard map:
# Why are there differences between my Gutka Sahib and this website, especially in padchedd and some spellings?
SikhiToTheMax is powered by BaniDB, which follows SGPC's standardized versions of all Baani. Scholars at SGPC have worked for years to come to a conclusion on padchedd spacing and spelling, which is now accepted by the Panth. In order to stay consistent with the Panth and not be biased towards any Jathebandi interpretations, BaniDB and the apps it powers follow SGPC approved padchedd and spelling. In case you find any discrepancy, feel free to share your feedback along with sources.
Web
# Why does SikhiToTheMax Website use cookies and localStorage?
SikhiToTheMax website uses two web technologies to store your preferences.
Cookies
If you choose "Dark Mode", we save that preference in a cookie so as to serve dark mode website to you from the server itself. This preference is naturally shared with our servers.LocalStorage
LocalStorage (not shared with our servers at all) is also used to save your display and font preferences, and other things like previous read page.
# How do I search for a shabad?
After launching SikhiToTheMax, by default you can search for a shabad by entering the first letter of each word. For example, if the shabad is
ਗੁਰੁ ਮੇਰੈ ਸੰਗਿ ਸਦਾ ਹੈ ਨਾਲੇ, you would enter "gmsshn". Alternatively, you can click on the gurmukhi keyboard icon and type in the letters manually.# Can I separate the Gurbani from the English translations?
When viewing a shabad or ang, click "Display Options" and then the "Split View" button
in the drop down menu.
# What does the unicode button do?
Unicode allows the Gurmukhi text to be viewed without needing a pre-installed font. It will
also allow you to copy and paste the text into vast variety of applications that you normally
wouldn’t be able to do.
# How to type Gurmukhi with keyboard?
In order to search using qwerty based keyboard, you need to refer to following key mappings between Gurmukhi letters and English letters.
| a | a | A | A | e | e | s | s | h | h |
| k | k | K | K | g | g | G | G | | | | |
| c | c | C | C | j | j | J | J | \ | \ |
| t | t | T | T | f | f | F | F | x | x |
| q | q | Q | Q | d | d | D | D | n | n |
| p | p | P | P | b | b | B | B | m | m |
| X | X | r | r | l | l | v | v | V | V |
# What is Split View?
Split view separates the gurmukhi, transliteration, and translations into individual sections on the page. To access this option, open display settings, and choose “Split View”
# How do I share a shabad and use the link shortener?
Each shabad has a unique URL that can be shared online. Rather than copying a long URL, we automatically shorten it to something more shareable. You can do this by clicking any of the social media icons in the shabad view, or pressing the last icon to copy the link to your clipboard
Additionally, for more advanced ways of using the link shortener, you have the following options:
Additionally, for more advanced ways of using the link shortener, you have the following options:- In case of a shabad, say
ਮੇਰੇ ਸਾਹਾ ਮੈ ਹਰਿ ਦਰਸਨ ਸੁਖੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਹਮਰੀ ਬੇਦਨਿ ਤੂ ਜਾਨਤਾ ਸਾਹਾ ਅਵਰੁ ਕਿਆ ਜਾਨੈ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥, the shabad id is2555, and the short URL is http://sttm.co/s/2555 - In case of ang, for example ang
12of Guru Granth Sahib Jee, the short URL is http://sttm.co/a/12 - In case of hukamnama, the short URL is http://sttm.co/h
- In case of random shabad, the short URL is http://sttm.co/r
- In case of going to Sundar Gutka, the short URL is http://sttm.co/sg
- In case of going to the Index, the short URL is http://sttm.co/i
Desktop
# Video Tutorial
# How do I install the desktop application?
You can install SikhiToTheMax (STTM) by visiting this website and choosing the Windows or macOS download link. After that, open the installer and follow the steps that are displayed.
# How do I search for a shabad?
After launching STTM, by default you can search for a shabad by entering the first letter of each word. For example, if the shabad is ਗੁਰੁ ਮੇਰੈ ਸੰਗਿ ਸਦਾ ਹੈ ਨਾਲੇ , you would enter 
Alternatively, you can click on the gurmukhi keyboard icon and type in the letters manually.
gmsshn.Alternatively, you can click on the gurmukhi keyboard icon and type in the letters manually.# What do the different search types do?
- First Letter (Start)
- The letters you input must be from the START of a line in a shabad.
- First Letter (Anywhere)
- The letters you input can be from any part of the line. For example, you can start your search by typing in the first letter of every word in the second half of a shabad’s line.
- Full Word (Gurmukhi)
- You can type in the full word(s) in gurmukhi that you are searching for.
- English Translation (Full Word)
- You can search for shabads via the english translations. For example, type in the word
birdand the results will show all shabads that include a translation for "bird".
- You can search for shabads via the english translations. For example, type in the word
# I can't find my shabad.
- STTM's database includes shabads from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Sri Dasam Granth Sahib, Bhai Gurdas Jee, Bhai Gurdas Singh Jee, Bhai Nand Lal Jee, and various rehatnamas and thankhanamas. If your shabad is not from one of those sources, it will not appear.
- If you verified your shabad should be in the database and it is still not coming up, make sure you are typing in the correct letters for search. If you aren’t sure about a letter, or are still having difficulties, try using one of the different search types to locate the shabad.
# How do I connect STTM to a projector?
Plug in your computer to the projector or TV. Once you do this, go to your computer's display settings and change it to "Extended Desktop" (NOT mirroring). After that, launch STTM and turn on "Presenter View" in the settings!
# How do I change the background color?
After launching STTM, click the icon for settings, and choose your theme.
# Can you view the Gurbani in Larivaar?
Yes! After launching STTM, click the icon for settings, and choose the Larivaar option.
# How can I make the fonts on the screen smaller?
After launching STTM, click the icon for settings, and scroll down for options to adjust the font size.
# Where can I see my previous shabads?
When using STTM in “Presenter View”, your history will appear in the bottom right quadrant. You can click any of the shabads in the list to bring them back up as your primary one.
# What is Akhand Paatth view?
Akhand Paatth view is currently a beta feature we have added to the desktop application. You can enable it in the settings under Display Options. When enabled, it allows you to scroll infinitely past the Shabad you started with. Additionally, you can press the arrows in the menu bar to quickly go to the next/previous Shabad without having to scroll at all.
# How do I show a custom slide?
You are now able to add a custom slide when using SikhiToTheMax. We currently support options for:
To get to the "Custom Slides" feature, click on slides icon on the top right when viewing a Shabad.
- Empty Slide: this will display a blank slide
- Add Waheguru Slide: this will show a blank slide with only "Waheguru" on it
- Add Dhan Guru ___: this will show a blank slide with "Dhan Guru" followed by the Guru you choose from the dropdown
- Additionally, you can create a custom announcement slide. By default, it will be written in English, however, there is a toggle for Gurmukhi if you'd like to use that instead.
To get to the "Custom Slides" feature, click on slides icon on the top right when viewing a Shabad.# How do I report a mistake?
Visit SikhiToTheMax.org and click "Feedback" at the bottom of the page.
