How To Undo in Excel

Ever made a mistake in Excel and wished you could undo it instantly?

We have all been there! Luckily, Excel offers a simple solution with its undo function. Whether it's an accidental delete or a wrong formula, this tool can save you time and frustration.

This article will show you exactly how to undo actions in Excel.

Does Microsoft Excel Have an Undo Function?

Excel has an undo feature that allows users to reverse their most recent actions, like deleting data, changing formatting, or editing formulas. It can help you quickly correct mistakes without redoing your work from scratch. You can use the "Undo" button or the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Z.

Excel Shortcut for Undoing Actions

The Excel shortcut for undoing an action on Windows is Ctrl + Z. On Mac, it's Command (⌘) + Z. You can press the shortcut multiple times to undo several actions in sequence. It is the same for other Office programs.

How To Use the Undo Button

The Undo Button is a quick and visual way to undo actions in Excel. It’s located at the top-left corner of the window, right above the ribbon, and looks like a curved left-pointing arrow. Here's how you can use it:

1. Locate the Undo Button: It's part of the default interface in the Quick Access Toolbar, making it easy to find without extra setup.

In the example below, we use the Undo Button to erase the "738893" we typed in D6.

2. Single undo: Simply click the Undo button once to reverse the most recent action you performed, like data entry, formatting, or formula changes.

3. Multiple undo options: If you need to undo several actions, you can click the small arrow next to the Undo button. This opens a dropdown list of your recent actions. You can select multiple actions from the list to undo all of them at once.

Why Can't I Undo in Excel?

There are several reasons why the undo command might not work in Excel:

1. Action limit exceeded: Excel only allows you to undo up to a certain number of recent actions (default is 100). Older actions can't be undone once you've exceeded your undo limits.

2. Saved workbook: Excel clears the undo history when you save your active workbook. So, you won’t be able to undo any actions that happened before saving.

3. Macros: Running a macro erases your undo stack, making it impossible to undo actions taken before or during the macro execution.

4. Some actions are irreversible: Certain operations, like deleting sheets, actions in the File tab, or using specific add-ins, cannot be undone.

5. Undo disabled: In rare cases, Excel's undo functionality can be disabled by specific system settings or errors, requiring a restart to restore the feature.

6. Too many undo levels: Each action that can be undone is stored temporarily in memory, consuming some of your system's RAM (Random Access Memory).

How To Edit the Undo Limit in Excel

As we mentioned, Excel's default undo limit is 100 actions. To change the undo limit in Excel, you need to modify a setting in the Windows registry. However, be cautious when editing the registry, as incorrect changes can affect system stability.

Here’s how to adjust the undo limit:

1. Open the Registry Editor: Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

2. Navigate to the Excel Registry Key: In the Registry Editor, navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\[version]\Excel\Options. Replace [version] with the version number of your Excel installation (e.g., 16.0 for Excel 2016 or Excel 365).

3. Create a new DWORD Value: Right-click on the Options folder in the left panel. Choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it UndoHistory.

4. Set the undo limit: Double-click on the new UndoHistory entry. Select Decimal as the base. Enter a value (e.g., 50 or 200), representing the number of undo actions you want to allow.

5. Save and exit: Click OK to save the value and exit Registry Editor.

6. Restart Excel: For the changes to take effect, close and reopen Excel.

How To Redo in Excel

In Excel, you can redo an action to reverse an undo in several ways. These methods allow you to reapply changes you’ve undone:

1. Keyboard shortcut: Press Ctrl + Y to redo the last undone action.

2. Redo button: Click the Redo button (a curved right-pointing arrow) next to the Undo button in the Quick Access Toolbar.

3. Right-click menu: Right-click in the worksheet and choose Redo from the context menu.

Final Thoughts on "How To Undo in Excel"

The undo feature in Excel can save you from costly mistakes. Whether through shortcuts or the toolbar, it's simple to use and highly effective. By mastering undo and redo, you can confidently and efficiently in Excel.

You can visit our homepage for more easy-to-follow how-to and step-by-step guides. Check the links in related articles for further details about Excel/Google Sheets Templates!

FAQ on "How To Undo in Excel"

1. Can I undo multiple actions at once in Excel?
Yes, you can undo multiple actions by clicking the dropdown next to the Undo button. Select the actions you want to reverse.

2. What is the keyboard shortcut for undoing in Excel?
The shortcut is Ctrl + Z. This quickly undoes the last action performed.

3. Why can't I undo after saving in Excel?
Saving a workbook clears the undo history. Once saved, you can’t reverse actions made before the save.

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