If you’ve ever typed something and instantly regretted it, you already know the magic of undo. And right beside it, there’s its twin: redo. These little shortcuts are lifesavers when you’re writing, editing, or just trying not to lose your mind over mistakes.
This guide breaks down the shortcut keys redo and undo on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. We’ll also peek at how they work in apps like Word, Excel, and even basic text editors—because let’s be honest, that’s where we actually need them most.
Undo vs. Redo: Quick Reality Check
- Undo is like saying, “Oops, take that back.”
- Redo is basically, “Wait, no, I still want that.”
Think of undo as your safety net, and redo as your “never mind, put it back” button.
Windows: Shortcut Key to Redo and Undo
On Windows, undo is Ctrl + Z. Everyone knows this one—it’s muscle memory. Deleted a paragraph by mistake? Tap it once and poof, it’s back.
The Redo shortcut is Ctrl + Y. But there is a catch on this: in some of the programs ( like Photoshop is a classic example), redo have the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + Z instead.
A simple example to explain: Let’s say you’re in MS Word and you have marked some text as bold, then you can undo it with Ctrl + Z. Now if you want to get back the change you removed (from non-bold text to bold), press Ctrl + Y to change it back.
Mac: Keyboard Shortcuts Redo and Undo
Mac users, yours are just as simple:
- Undo = Command (⌘) + Z
- Redo = Command (⌘) + Shift + Z
Pretty straightforward. Though, heads up—some apps let you redo with ⌘ + Y instead.
Example: In Pages, undo cancels the last edit. Redo brings it right back, almost like retracing your steps.
Android: Undo and Redo Without a Keyboard
Phones don’t come with Ctrl or Command keys (unfortunately). So here’s what you can do:
- In Google Docs: there’s a tiny Undo arrow and Redo arrow at the top. They’re small but mighty.
- Using Gboard? You can reverse the text with certain gestures, but it entirely relies on your configuration in the app.
- When a physical keyboard is connected, Ctrl + Z (undo) and Ctrl + Shift + Z (redo) generally function.
Example: In Google Docs, if you type something, click the Undo arrow and it vanishes. Tap Redo arrow, it comes back. Easy.
Also Read: How to Check Word Count on Google Docs
iOS: Redo and Undo on iPhone and iPad
Apple’s got a few tricks up its sleeve:
- Shake your iPhone to undo. Shake again for redo. (Yes, seriously.)
- If you are using the Notes app on your iPhone, you can see two arrow icons for the same.
- When using a Magic Keyboard app on your iPad, the shortcuts mirror those of a Mac: ⌘ + Z to undo, ⌘ + Shift + Z to redo.
- To utilize the gestures: swipe left with three fingers to undo, and swipe right with three fingers to redo.
Example: Open the Notes application and attempt removing a sentence; swipe three fingers to the left, and it returns. Swipe to the right, and poof—it’s gone again.
Redo and Undo in Real Apps
Now let’s talk about the places where undo and redo actually save us:
Microsoft Word
- Utilizing the keyboard: You may reverse actions with the shortcut Ctrl + Z and restore with Ctrl + Y.
- Without a keyboard: In the upper-left corner of the Word app, you can spot the Undo/Redo arrows. You can additionally right-click and select Undo/Redo from the list.
Situation: You unintentionally removed a paragraph. Undo arrow brings it back. Hit Redo and it disappears again.
Microsoft Excel
- Keyboard: Same as Microsoft Word.
- Without keyboard: Toolbar buttons do the trick.
Scenario: You clear a whole column. Undo restores it instantly. Redo clears it again.
Text Editors (Notepad, Sublime, Notepad++)
- Keyboard: Undo = Ctrl + Z, Redo = Ctrl + Y or Ctrl + Shift + Z.
- Without keyboard: Top level Edit menu → Undo or Redo.
Example: You remove a line of code in Notepad++. Undo reinstates it. Redo removes it again. Clean and straightforward.
Shortcut of Redo and Undo: Quick Table
| Platform | Undo Shortcut | Redo Shortcut | Without Keyboard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | Ctrl + Z | Ctrl + Y / Ctrl + Shift + Z | Toolbar arrows in apps |
| Mac | ⌘ + Z | ⌘ + Shift + Z / ⌘ + Y | Edit menu → Undo/Redo |
| Android | Undo arrow / Ctrl + Z (with keyboard) | Redo arrow / Ctrl + Shift + Z | On-screen buttons |
| iOS | Shake / ⌘ + Z | Shake → Redo / ⌘ + Shift + Z | Gestures or toolbar icons |
Why These Shortcuts Matter
- Time-saver: There’s one combo that beats digging around in menus.
- Stress reliever: Mistakes don’t feel as final anymore.
- Universal: Once you used and learned them, they work in almost every program you’ll use.
Conclusion
Whether you’re typing an essay, working on a spreadsheet, or coding late into the night, the shortcut keys redo and undo are your best friends. On Windows, it’s all about Ctrl + Z and Ctrl + Y. Swap those out for Command versions on Mac. On mobile, you’ve got buttons, shakes, and swipes.
Bottom line: these keyboard shortcuts is one of the easiest ways to save time—and sanity.
FAQs
Q1. What is the redo shortcut key?
Typically Ctrl + Y on Windows, ⌘ + Shift + Z on Mac.
Q2. What is the undo shortcut key?
Use Ctrl + Z on Windows and (command) ⌘ + Z on Mac.
Q3. What is the shortcut key of redo in MS Word?
Ctrl + Y.
Q4. How can I redo on my iPhone or iPad?
Simply shake your device or, on iPad, press ⌘ + Shift + Z on your keyboard app.
Q5. Can I use a keyboard redo shortcut on Android?
Yes, if you can connect an external keyboard: Ctrl + Shift + Z. Otherwise, just use the on-screen redo arrow.
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