Question

How can I change the default reference in the Go back/Go forward dropdown at the top left of the Paratext interface?

Answer 1

Those <-- buttons --> and the dropdowns connected to them only show the HISTORY of references that you have already visited, and allow you to quickly jump back to them if needed.

If you want to change the reference that you're at, and it isn't on the list, then use the controls in the area highlighted in red below: