How to Undo in Excel | Quick Shortcuts

How to undo in Excel: You can use the universal shortcut Ctrl + Z on Windows and Ubuntu, or Cmd + Z on macOS. 🔄 Whether you’ve accidentally deleted data, changed formatting, or made a formula error, Excel’s undo function lets you instantly reverse your last action and get back on track. It’s one of the most essential features for editing safely and efficiently—available across Windows, macOS, and Linux systems. 🧠

🧠 Why Use Undo in Excel?

The undo command is your first line of defense against mistakes, helping you:

Quickly fix typos or wrong inputs
Revert formatting changes or sorting mishaps
Remove unwanted deletions or row/column actions
Recover overwritten formulas
Edit confidently without fear of permanent loss 🚫

Whether you’re a beginner or power user, Ctrl/Cmd + Z is your best friend in Excel!

⌨️ Keyboard Shortcuts for Undo in Excel

Action	Windows	macOS	Ubuntu (LibreOffice Calc)
Undo last action	`Ctrl + Z`	`Cmd + Z`	`Ctrl + Z`
Redo an action	`Ctrl + Y` or `Ctrl + Shift + Z`	`Cmd + Y` or `Cmd + Shift + Z`	`Ctrl + Y`
Open full undo list (Ribbon)	`Alt + H + U`	Use mouse	Use Edit > Undo

💡 You can also click the Undo arrow icon in the toolbar to view and select from a list of recent actions to undo multiple steps at once.

🔧 Where to Find the Undo Button

Quick Access Toolbar: Top-left corner of Excel (curved arrow icon)
Click the arrow next to it to undo multiple steps
Undo is also available under the Home tab > Editing section > Undo

✅ Pro Tip: Use both mouse and keyboard for faster control while editing large datasets.

🔄 What Can You Undo in Excel?

You can undo almost anything, including:

Action	Undoable?
Typing in a cell	✅ Yes
Formatting changes	✅ Yes
Sorting data	✅ Yes
Deleting rows/columns	✅ Yes
Copy/paste	✅ Yes
Saving the file	❌ No
Macros or VBA scripts	❌ No (unless scripted to do so)

⚠️ Once a file is saved and closed, undo history is cleared.

🔁 How to Redo in Excel

Made a mistake undoing something? No problem.

Use:

Windows/Linux: Ctrl + Y or Ctrl + Shift + Z
Mac: Cmd + Y or Cmd + Shift + Z

This will redo the last undone action instantly. Perfect for toggling between changes!

🐧 Undo in Ubuntu/Linux (LibreOffice Calc)

LibreOffice Calc on Linux works almost identically:

Undo: Ctrl + Z
Redo: Ctrl + Y
Use Edit > Undo or the Undo toolbar icon for multiple steps
Supports up to 100 undo levels by default

✅ Just like Excel, undo is a core feature of LibreOffice Calc, with near-identical shortcuts.

🛑 Limitations of Undo in Excel

You can’t undo file saves or macro runs
Undo history is session-based—closing the file clears all undo steps
Very large actions (e.g., deleting thousands of rows) may not fully undo
Undo doesn’t reverse changes made through VBA, Power Query, or Pivot Cache Refresh

🎯 Best Practice: Save a backup copy before performing large or irreversible actions.

🧩 Real-Life Undo Scenarios

Scenario	Fix with Undo?	How?
Deleted a row accidentally	✅	`Ctrl + Z`
Overwrote a formula	✅	`Ctrl + Z`
Sorted data and lost order	✅	`Ctrl + Z`
Cleared formatting by mistake	✅	`Ctrl + Z`
Saved wrong data	❌	Undo not available after save

FAQs

How do I undo in Excel on Windows?
Use Ctrl + Z or click the Undo button in the Quick Access Toolbar.

How do I undo in Excel on Mac?
Use Cmd + Z to reverse your last action.

Can I undo multiple steps at once?
Yes—click the arrow next to the Undo icon and select multiple actions.

Can I undo after saving?
No. Once a file is saved and closed, the undo history is cleared.

How many actions can I undo?
Excel supports up to 100 undo levels in most versions.

Is undo available in LibreOffice Calc?
Yes, with the same Ctrl + Z shortcut and support for multiple undo steps.

✅ Final Thoughts on How to Undo in Excel

The undo feature in Excel is one of the most powerful safety nets when working with spreadsheets. Whether you’re editing formulas, formatting cells, or deleting rows, knowing how to undo in Excel ensures you can always reverse your steps with confidence. 🔄

Thanks to universal keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl + Z (or Cmd + Z on Mac), undoing mistakes is as easy as breathing—available on Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu/Linux. So go ahead, make bold moves in Excel—you’ve got a powerful undo button to back you up! 💪✅

Complete List of Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

If you need help for Windows, you can find a whole list of all keyboard shortcuts here.

https://keyboard-shortcuts.org/

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