How to Use the Undo and Redo Commands

This updated guide examines How to Use the Undo and Redo Commands and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Method 1

On iPhone or iPad

1. Shake your iPhone or iPad. Doing so opens a dialog box asking if you want to "Undo" the action you just performed.
2. TapUndo. The last action you performed, such as typing, cutting, copying, or pasting, will be undone.
   • Alternatively, on iPad, tap 123 in the lower-left part of the keyboard, then tap Undo
3. Shake your iPhone or iPad after an "Undo" action. Doing so opens a dialog box asking if you want to "Redo" the action you just "undid." This is useful if you inadvertently undo something that you didn't mean to.
4. TapRedo. The last Undo you performed will be negated and the action that was undone will be replaced.
   • Alternatively, on iPad, tap 123 in the lower-left part of the keyboard, then tap Redo
   • Some apps, like Word, have Undo (⤺) and Redo (⤼) buttons, usually located at the top of the screen or just above the keyboard, or enhanced dialog boxes when you shake your iPhone.

Method 2

On Windows

1. ClickEditin the menu bar.
2. ClickUndo. The last action you performed, such as typing, cutting, copying, or pasting, will be undone.
   • Alternatively, pressCtrl+Z.
3. Click the "Undo" arrow (⤺) in a Microsoft Office application. It's in the colored bar at the top of the window. This is a quick alternative to the other "Undo" methods, which also function in Office applications.
4. ClickEditin the menu bar.
5. ClickRedo. The last Undo you performed will be negated and the action that was undone will be replaced.
   • Alternatively, pressCtrl+Y.
6. Click the "Redo" arrow (⤼) in a Microsoft Office application. It's in the colored bar at the top of the window. This is a quick alternative to the other "Redo" methods, which also function in Office applications. If you did not just perform an "Undo" action, clicking the arrow will repeat the last action you performed in an Office app.
   • Not all actions can be undone or redone. If you're clicking the correct buttons and it's not working, then you've performed such an action.

Method 3

On Mac

1. ClickEditin the menu bar.
2. ClickUndo. The last action you performed, such as typing, cutting, copying, or pasting, will be undone.
   • Alternatively, press⌘+Z.
3. Click the "Undo" arrow (⤺) in a Microsoft Office application. It's in the colored bar at the top of the window. This is a quick alternative to the other "Undo" methods, which also function in Office applications.
4. ClickEditin the menu bar.
5. ClickRedo. The last Undo you performed will be negated and the action that was undone will be replaced.
   • Alternatively, press⌘+Y.
6. Click the "Redo" arrow (⤼) in a Microsoft Office application. It's in the colored bar at the top of the window. This is a quick alternative to the other "Redo" methods, which also function in Office applications. If you did not just perform an "Undo" action, clicking the arrow will repeat the last action you performed in an Office app.
   • Not all actions can be undone or redone. If you're clicking the correct buttons and it's not working, then you've performed such an action.