This post introduces the Undo shortcut and Redo shortcut in Word, Excel, other Microsoft applications on Windows or Mac. You can easily undo an action by pressing Ctrl + Z on Windows or Command + Z shortcut on Mac. To redo an action, you can press Ctrl + Y or Ctrl + Shift + Z on Windows, or press Command + Shift + Z shortcut on Mac.
You can use some keyboard shortcuts to make many operation easier on computer. This post introduces the Undo and Redo shortcut on Windows and Mac.
You can undo the changes with the Undo shortcut even if you have saved the file, or use the Redo shortcut to reverse your last undo action. Check the details about Undo and Redo command below.
What Is Undo and Redo Shortcut
On Windows: The Undo shortcut is Ctrl + Z. The Redo shortcut is Ctrl + Y or Ctrl + Shift + Z.
On Mac: The Undo keyboard shortcut is Command + Z. The Redo command is Command + Shift + Z.
The Function of Undo and Redo Shortcut
The function of Undo command, just as its name, lets you erase the last change to the document, thus, you can revert file to a previous state. The Undo technique is built in in many computer programs like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. When you are working with your document, you can easily undo the action if you make some mistakes. You can use the Undo shortcut (Ctrl Z) to undo multiple steps in applications.
The opposite action of Undo is Redo. The Redo shortcut (Ctrl Y) reverses the Undo action. If you mistakenly undo an action, you can use the Redo command to easily restore to a more recent state.
Undo, Redo or Repeat Actions with Your Mouse
If you don’t use the Undo shortcut, you can also use your mouse to undo some actions in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
To undo actions, you can click the Undo icon at the top-left toolbar in Word or Excel to undo on step. To reverse multiple steps, you can constantly click the Undo icon, or you can click the arrow next the Undo icon and select the actions in the list you want to undo and click your mouse.
To redo an action, you can click the Redo icon next to the Undo icon. The redo button only appears after you undo some actions. Namely, you can use the Redo command only after the Undo command.
After you type something in Word and want to repeat the operation, you can click the Repeat icon next to Undo icon at the upper-left corner. Redo button shows only after an action has undone.
Other Popular Shortcut Keys Functions
Ctrl + A: This keyboard shortcut allows you to select all content so that you can do a function to the whole content.
Ctrl + C: You can use this shortcut to select preferred text and copy it to the clipboard.
Ctrl + V: You can click your mouse to locate to the desired place in the text editor, and press Ctrl + V to paste the copied text.
F11: To go to or exit full-screen mode.
Related: 24 useful Mac keyboard shortcuts
Undo Shortcut FAQ
What is the reverse of Ctrl Z?
The reverse of Ctrl Z is Ctrl Y.
Is there an Undo command?
Yes, the undo shortcut on Windows is Ctrl + Z. On Mac, it is Command + Z.
What is Ctrl Z?
It is the Undo shortcut for most Microsoft Windows applications.
What does Ctrl Y mean?
It is the opposite of Ctrl Z (the Undo shortcut). It is the Redo command.