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The standard redo shortcut is Ctrl + Y on most Windows apps and Command + Shift + Z on most Mac apps. Redo is used to bring back an action you just reversed with undo, making it the counterpart to Ctrl + Z on Windows and Command + Z on Mac.
These shortcuts work in many common places, including word processors, spreadsheets, browsers, design tools, code editors, and email apps. Some programs use alternative shortcuts such as Ctrl + Shift + Z on Windows, while others limit redo depending on the action, document state, or app-specific shortcut settings.
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Redo Shortcut for Windows
The standard redo shortcut for Windows is Ctrl + Y. In most Windows applications, pressing and holding the Ctrl key and then pressing Y repeats the last action that was undone, or reapplies a command that the app allows you to redo. For example, if you type a sentence in Microsoft Word, press Ctrl + Z to undo it, and then press Ctrl + Y, the sentence usually returns.
Redo is closely tied to undo, but it is not the same command. Ctrl + Z moves backward through recent changes, while Ctrl + Y usually moves forward again through those undone changes. This is useful when you undo too much by mistake. Instead of recreating the work manually, you can use redo to restore the last undone edit, formatting change, deletion, paste, or other reversible action.
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How to use Ctrl + Y on Windows
- Make sure the app window you want to control is active.
- Hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard.
- Press Y once to redo one action.
- Press Ctrl + Y repeatedly to redo multiple undone actions, if the app supports multiple redo steps.
In many Windows programs, Ctrl + Y can also repeat the last command when there is nothing available to redo. This behavior is common in Microsoft Office apps. For instance, after applying bold formatting, changing a font color, or inserting a row, Ctrl + Y may repeat that same action rather than restoring an undone step. Because of this, the exact result can depend on what you did most recently and which application you are using.
| Shortcut | Common Windows action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + Y | Redo the last undone action or repeat the last command in many apps |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo the last action |
| Ctrl + Shift + Z | Alternative redo shortcut in some apps, especially design, browser-based, and creative tools |
You will commonly see Ctrl + Y work in apps such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, pad, WordPad, File Explorer rename fields, many code editors, and numerous business applications. However, not every Windows program follows the same shortcut convention. Some apps use Ctrl + Shift + Z for redo, especially tools that follow Adobe-style or cross-platform shortcut patterns. Web apps can also vary because the browser, the webpage, and the editing field may each handle keyboard shortcuts differently.
If Ctrl + Y does not redo anything, first check whether there is actually an undone action available. Redo usually becomes available only after you have used undo. Also click inside the document, text box, spreadsheet cell, canvas, or editor area before trying again, because the shortcut acts on the currently focused part of the app. If it still does not work, look for Edit > Redo in the app menu, hover over the redo button on the toolbar to see the assigned shortcut, or try Ctrl + Shift + Z. On some compact keyboards, remote desktops, keyboard managers, or non-US layouts, shortcut conflicts can also prevent the expected redo command from reaching the app.
Redo Shortcut for Mac
The standard redo shortcut on Mac is Command + Shift + Z. Hold down the Command key, hold Shift, then press Z. In most Mac apps, this reapplies the last action you reversed with undo. For example, if you press Command + Z to remove a sentence you just typed, pressing Command + Shift + Z usually brings that sentence back.
This shortcut is the Mac counterpart to the common Windows redo shortcut, but it follows Apple’s long-standing menu convention: Command + Z is Undo, and Command + Shift + Z is Redo. You can often confirm the shortcut inside an app by opening the Edit menu in the menu bar. If redo is available, you will usually see an item such as Redo Typing, Redo Delete, Redo Paste, or simply Redo, with the shortcut shown beside it.
How to use redo on a Mac
- Perform an action in an app, such as typing text, deleting an object, formatting a paragraph, or moving an item.
- Press Command + Z to undo that action.
- Press Command + Shift + Z to redo the action you just undid.
Redo is most useful when you undo too far or change your mind after using undo. Many apps also let you press the redo shortcut repeatedly to move forward through several undone actions. For instance, if you undo three edits in a document, pressing Command + Shift + Z mulle times may restore those edits one by one, depending on the app’s edit history.
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Mac apps where Command + Shift + Z commonly works
- Apple apps: Pages, Numbers, Keynote, Notes, TextEdit, Mail, Preview, and Finder actions where undo and redo are supported.
- Browsers: Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, especially in text fields, forms, and web-based editors.
- Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook for Mac usually support Command + Shift + Z, though some features may also expose toolbar redo controls.
- Creative apps: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Figma, Sketch, Final Cut Pro, and Logic Pro may support redo, but some use their own history panels or editing models.
- Code editors: Visual Studio Code, Xcode, Sublime Text, JetBrains IDEs, and many terminal text editors support redo in editable areas, with behavior varying by editor.
Some Mac apps also support Command + Y as an alternative redo shortcut, especially cross-platform apps that share keyboard conventions with Windows. However, Command + Shift + Z is the shortcut most Mac users should try first. If it does not work, check the app’s Edit menu, because the command may be unavailable, renamed, assigned to another shortcut, or limited to certain parts of the app. Redo may also fail if you have not undone anything yet, if the document has been closed and reopened, if the app cleared its undo history after saving or switching modes, or if the current cursor focus is not inside an editable area.
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Undo and redo are paired editing commands, but they move in opposite directions through your recent actions. Undo reverses the last change you made. Redo reapplies a change that you previously undid. In most Windows apps, undo is Ctrl + Z and redo is Ctrl + Y or sometimes Ctrl + Shift + Z. On Mac, undo is Command + Z and redo is usually Command + Shift + Z.
For example, if you type a sentence in a document and press undo, the sentence may disappear. If you then press redo, the sentence comes back. The same pattern applies to many actions: deleting text, moving an object, applying bold formatting, resizing a shape, pasting content, or changing a cell value. Undo steps backward through your edit history; redo steps forward again, but only after something has been undone.
| Command | Common Windows shortcut | Common Mac shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undo | Ctrl + Z | Command + Z | Reverses the most recent editable action |
| Redo | Ctrl + Y or Ctrl + Shift + Z | Command + Shift + Z | Restores an action that was just undone |
The two shortcuts depend on an app’s edit history. If you undo three changes in a row, redo can usually bring those three changes back in the same order, one shortcut press at a time. If you make a new edit after undoing, many apps clear the redo path. For instance, if you type “Report,” undo it, then type “Draft” instead, the app may no longer be able to redo “Report” because your edit history has branched into a new sequence.
Undo and redo also vary by action type. Text editors commonly support many levels of undo and redo, while web forms, graphics apps, spreadsheets, and browser-based tools may handle each action differently. Some changes are not reversible with undo at all, such as sending an email, submitting a form, saving over a file in certain programs, or running a command that changes external data. In those cases, redo will not restore the action unless the app has its own recovery, version history, or confirmation system.
In daily use, the easiest way to think about the pair is this: use undo when you want to take back your last edit, and use redo when you decide that the undone edit should return. If redo appears unavailable in a menu or toolbar, it usually means there is no undone action waiting to be restored, the app does not support redo for that action, or a newer edit has replaced the redo history.
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Where the Redo Shortcut Works
The redo shortcut works in many places where an app keeps an edit history. On Windows, that usually means Ctrl + Y or sometimes Ctrl + Shift + Z; on Mac, it is usually Command + Shift + Z, with some apps also supporting Command + Y. In practice, redo is most useful after you have undone an action and want to put that action back.
You will commonly find redo support in document editors, email drafts, design tools, code editors, spreadsheets, presentation apps, taking apps, and many browser-based workspaces. For example, if you undo deleted text in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Apple Pages, Gmail, or Outlook, redo can usually restore that deletion. In Excel, Google Sheets, Numbers, PowerPoint, Keynote, and Slides, redo may reapply formatting, restore a moved object, repeat a deleted cell value, or bring back a chart edit.
Common apps and areas that usually support redo
- Word processors: Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Apple Pages, LibreOffice Writer, and similar editors typically support redo for typing, formatting, deleting, pasting, and layout changes.
- Spreadsheets: Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, Apple Numbers, and LibreOffice Calc usually support redo for cell edits, formulas, formatting, row or column changes, and some sorting actions.
- Presentation software: PowerPoint, Google Slides, and Keynote commonly support redo for object placement, text edits, formatting, slide changes, and image adjustments.
- Email and messaging drafts: Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail, and many web-based editors support redo while composing text, though support may be limited inside simpler message fields.
- Design and creative apps: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Figma, Canva, Sketch, and similar tools often provide redo for drawing, moving objects, applying effects, and editing layers.
- Code and text editors: Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, Notepad++, Xcode, JetBrains IDEs, and many plain-text editors support redo for typing, deletion, indentation, and refactoring steps.
- Web browsers: Redo can work inside editable fields, forms, text boxes, and web apps, but it generally does not redo actions like reopening a closed tab unless the browser has a separate shortcut for that command.
Redo behavior depends on the active app and the exact place where your cursor is focused. If you are typing in a rich text editor, the shortcut may redo your last text change. If you are focused on a browser page instead of the text field, the same keys may do nothing or trigger a different browser command. In apps with mulle panels, such as video editors, design programs, and developer tools, redo often applies only to the selected document, timeline, canvas, or editor pane.
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Redo also has limits. It usually works only after an undo has happened; if there is nothing to reapply, the command may be unavailable or grayed out. Some actions cannot be redone because they are outside the app’s undo history, such as sending an email, permanently deleting a file, submitting a form, saving over a cloud version, or running certain automated operations. Cloud apps may also behave differently if the page refreshes, the document loses connection, or another collaborator changes the file at the same time.
When you are unsure whether redo is supported, check the app’s Edit menu. Most desktop apps show Redo there, often with the current keyboard shortcut displayed beside it. In web apps, the command may appear in a toolbar, a three-dot menu, or an application-specific menu rather than the browser’s main menu. If the menu item is dimmed, the app recognizes redo but has no undone action available to restore.
Alternative Redo Shortcuts in Common Apps
Although Ctrl + Y on Windows and Command + Shift + Z on Mac are the most widely recognized redo shortcuts, many apps support more than one redo command. This is especially common in software that has long histories on different platforms, such as Microsoft Office, Adobe apps, browsers, and code editors. If the standard shortcut does not behave as expected, the app may be using an alternate shortcut or a custom keybinding.
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Common redo shortcut variations
| App or app type | Windows redo shortcut | Mac redo shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint | Ctrl + Y or F4 | Command + Y in some Office versions; Command + Shift + Z may also work depending on the app/version |
| Google Docs, Sheets, Slides | Ctrl + Y | Command + Shift + Z |
| Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign | Ctrl + Shift + Z in many workflows | Command + Shift + Z |
| Web browsers and text fields | Ctrl + Y | Command + Shift + Z |
| Visual Studio Code and many code editors | Ctrl + Y or Ctrl + Shift + Z, depending on settings | Command + Shift + Z |
In Microsoft Office on Windows, F4 is often useful because it repeats the last action. In some cases, that action is effectively the same as redo, such as restoring a formatting change that was just undone. In other cases, F4 repeats a command rather than stepping forward through the undo history, so it can produce a different result. For example, if you just applied bold formatting, F4 may apply bold again to a new selection instead of redoing a deleted paragraph.
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Adobe apps are another common source of variation. Photoshop and Illustrator have traditionally used Ctrl + Shift + Z on Windows and Command + Shift + Z on Mac to step forward through history states. In these apps, redo may be tied to the History panel, which means the shortcut moves forward through recorded edits rather than simply reversing the last undo in a plain text-style sequence. If you customize shortcuts in Adobe’s keyboard shortcut settings, the redo command may differ from the default.
Browser-based tools usually follow the operating system convention, but the browser, webpage, or editor can intercept shortcuts. For instance, Google Docs supports standard redo shortcuts, while a website with a custom editor may assign Ctrl + Y or Command + Shift + Z to a different command. Remote desktop sessions can also change what happens because the shortcut may be captured by the local computer before it reaches the remote app.
If you are unsure which shortcut an app uses, open the Edit menu and look next to the Redo command. Most desktop apps display the active keyboard shortcut there. In apps with customizable shortcuts, check the keyboard settings or command palette and search for “Redo.” This is often the fastest way to confirm whether the app uses the system default, an alternate shortcut, or a user-defined key combination.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to Do If the Redo Shortcut Is Not Working
If the redo shortcut is not working, first check whether there is actually an action available to redo. Redo usually becomes available only after you have undone something with Ctrl + Z on Windows or Command + Z on Mac. If you type text, delete it, undo the deletion, and then try redo, the shortcut should repeat the deleted action. If nothing has been undone yet, many apps will ignore the redo shortcut or leave the Redo menu item dimmed.
Next, confirm that you are using the shortcut expected by the app. On Windows, the standard redo shortcut is often Ctrl + Y, but many apps also use Ctrl + Shift + Z. On Mac, the standard shortcut is usually Command + Shift + Z. Some cross-platform apps, creative tools, code editors, and browser-based apps may follow their own shortcut style, especially if they were designed to behave the same on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
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Quick checks to try
- Look in the Edit menu: Open the app’s Edit menu and check the shortcut shown next to Redo. This is the most reliable source for that specific app.
- Click inside the active document: The shortcut may not work if focus is in a toolbar, sidebar, dialog box, address bar, or search field.
- Try the alternate shortcut: On Windows, test both Ctrl + Y and Ctrl + Shift + Z. On Mac, test Command + Shift + Z.
- Check keyboard layout and modifier keys: A stuck Ctrl, Command, Shift, or Alt/Option key can interfere with shortcuts. External keyboards can also map keys differently.
- Restart the app: Temporary shortcut handling problems can often be fixed by closing and reopening the program.
If redo works in one app but not another, the issue is probably app-specific rather than a system-wide keyboard problem. Check the app’s keyboard shortcut settings, especially in programs such as Adobe apps, Microsoft Office, Google Docs, Visual Studio Code, Figma, Photoshop, and browser-based editors. Some apps allow shortcuts to be customized, disabled, or overridden by extensions. In a web app, browser extensions can also capture shortcuts before the page receives them, so testing in an incognito or private window can help isolate the problem.
When redo does not work anywhere, test the physical keyboard. Open a simple text editor and verify that Ctrl, Command, Shift, Y, and Z all register correctly. If you are using remote desktop software, a virtual machine, a keyboard remapper, or accessibility software, shortcuts may be intercepted before they reach the app. Also check system settings for custom keyboard shortcuts that may conflict with redo. As a final step, update the app, update the operating system, or reset the app’s shortcut preferences if it provides that option.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the redo shortcut on Windows?
The standard redo shortcut on Windows is Ctrl + Y. In many apps, especially Microsoft Office, it reapplies the last action you undid. Some apps also support Ctrl + Shift + Z, so try that if Ctrl + Y does not work.
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The standard redo shortcut on Mac is Command + Shift + Z. It is commonly used in apps like Pages, Key, Notes, Adobe apps, browsers, and many text editors. Some Microsoft Office apps on Mac may also support Command + Y, depending on the app and version.
What is the difference between undo and redo?
Undo reverses your last action, such as deleting text, moving an object, or applying formatting. Redo puts that action back after you have undone it. For example, if you press Ctrl + Z to restore deleted text, pressing Ctrl + Y or Command + Shift + Z may remove it again.
Where does the redo shortcut usually work?
Redo works in many places where editing actions can be reversed, including word processors, spreadsheets, design tools, code editors, email drafts, and browser text fields. It is also common in apps like Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Docs, Photoshop, Visual Studio Code, and Apple s. It may not work on actions that cannot be undone, such as sending an email, saving a file, or completing some web forms.
What should I do if the redo shortcut is not working?
First, make sure you have actually used undo, because redo usually only works after an undo action. Then try the alternative shortcut, such as Ctrl + Shift + Z on Windows or Command + Y on Mac in supported apps. If it still fails, check the app’s Edit menu for the listed Redo command, restart the app, or look for custom keyboard shortcut settings that may have changed the default.
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The standard Redo shortcut is Ctrl + Y on Windows and Command + Shift + Z on Mac, while Undo is typically Ctrl + Z or Command + Z. In some apps, Windows also supports Ctrl + Shift + Z, so it is worth checking the Edit menu or app shortcut settings if the usual key combo does not work.
Use Redo when you want to reapply an action you just undid, but remember that it only works when there is something available to redo. If the shortcut fails, click the app’s Redo button, check whether your cursor is in the right place, and confirm the program supports redo for that specific action.
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