The redo shortcut in Mac apps is Command + Shift + Z. It brings back what you just undid with Command + Z. Both work in Notes, Pages, Mail, Safari text boxes, Finder and almost every other Mac app.
Word, Excel and PowerPoint for Mac also accept Command + Y for redo, matching the Windows habit of Ctrl + Y. In Finder, undo can even reverse moving, renaming or deleting a file.
Quick facts
Undo
Command + ZRedo
Command + Shift + ZRedo in Office
Command + YUndo in Finder
Command + ZMenu
Edit, then Undo or RedoWindows
Ctrl + Z and Ctrl + Y
Redo shortcut in Mac apps
| App | Undo | Redo |
|---|---|---|
| Most Mac apps | Command + Z | Command + Shift + Z |
| Word, Excel, PowerPoint for Mac | Command + Z | Command + Y or Command + Shift + Z |
| Finder | Command + Z | Command + Shift + Z |
| Browsers, in text boxes | Command + Z | Command + Shift + Z |
How undo and redo work together
- Make a mistake, such as deleting a paragraph.
- Press Command + Z. The paragraph comes back.
- Changed your mind? Press Command + Shift + Z to remove it again.
- Each press moves one step back or forward through your recent changes.
As soon as you type something new after undoing, the redo steps are gone. That is the most common reason redo seems to stop working.
Undo in Finder
Finder remembers file actions. Straight after moving a file to the wrong folder, renaming it, or moving it to the Bin, press Command + Z and the action is reversed. This works for the last few actions in the same Finder session. Files emptied from the Bin cannot be brought back this way. If you use Time Machine backups, older versions of folders can still be recovered from there.
Version history for bigger mistakes
Many Mac apps also keep versions. In Pages, Numbers and TextEdit, File, then Revert To, then Browse All Versions shows earlier saved states, which goes far beyond a few undo steps. Word and Excel for Mac keep version history for files saved in the cloud. Windows users can compare with the undo shortcut key and redo shortcut key guides.
When redo does not work on a Mac
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Command + Shift + Z does nothing | You typed something after undoing; redo is cleared |
| Command + Y opens history | In browsers Command + Y may open history; use Command + Shift + Z |
| Undo greyed out | There is nothing left to undo in that app |
| File change cannot be undone | Finder only remembers recent actions |
Undo and redo in text versus files
Undo is tracked separately in each app and window. Pressing Command + Z in Notes will not undo a file you moved in Finder; switch to the Finder window first. Similarly, closing a document usually clears its undo list, so save a copy before large edits if you might want to go back. In browsers, undo only works inside the text box you are typing in, not on the web page itself.
More Mac shortcuts
Copying and pasting are covered in copy and paste on Mac, screenshots in Mac screenshot shortcut, and the full Mac list in Mac shortcut keys.
Frequently asked questions
What is the redo shortcut in Mac?
What is the undo shortcut on a Mac?
Does Command + Y redo on a Mac?
In Word, Excel and PowerPoint for Mac, yes. Other apps use Command + Shift + Z.
Can I undo a file move in Finder?
Yes, press Command + Z straight away.
Why can I not redo?
Typing anything new after undoing clears the redo steps.