Solution 1 – Open Excel in Safe Mode
STEPS:
- Go to the Windows search bar.
- Enter Excel.exe /Safe.
- You’ll get the application, as shown below.
- Press it.
You can follow another process to open the Excel file in safe mode.
- Press and hold down the Ctrl key.
- Double-click the desired Excel file to open it.
- You’ll get a dialog box, as shown in the following picture.
- Press Yes.
- It’ll open Excel in Safe Mode.
- The file name and the tabs’ background are White, showing they are in safe mode.
Read More: How to Redo in an Excel Sheet
Solution 2 – Modify Undo Level
STEPS:
- Click the Search taskbar in Windows.
- Type Run.
- The Run dialog box will pop out.
- In the Open box, input regedit.
- Press Enter.
- It’ll return the Registry Editor window.
- Expand HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Excel\Options. This could be different for other office versions.
- Go to Edit ➤ New ➤ DWORD Value.
- Select New Value #1.
- Type UndoHistory.
- Press Enter.
- Click Edit ➤ Modify.
- As a result, a new dialog box will appear.
- Choose Decimal under Base.
- Type a value (0 to 100) in the Value box.
- Press OK.
- Close the program and start Excel.
This will solve the undo and redo not working issue.
Method 3 – Relocate Undo and Redo
Updating your MS Office version may change the usual place for Undo and Redo buttons. In that case, you won’t be able to find the buttons in their previous position. Which may confuse us. In the following picture, the buttons are in their usual spot.
After updating the office app, you may see the undo and redo buttons on the left side of the Clipboard section under the Home tab.
Download the Practice Workbook
Download the following workbook to practice.
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I want to thank you for helping me to solve my “Undo/Redo not working” issue. I’d previously tried option 2 [RegEdit] which didn’t fix the problem. Your article reminded me that I had forgotten to Disable VBA Macros a few weeks ago after having them enabled for some spreadsheets I was working on for a client. Thanks to you instructions, I figured out how to start Excel in Safe Mode to check it there and everything worked fine. After that,I went and disabled VBA Macros, restarted Excel, and everythings working properly again. Much appreciation to you!
Dear Sandra Aldridge,
Thanks for your appreciation it means a lot to us. ExcelDemy is glad to help you.
Regards
Shamima Sultana | Project Manager | ExcelDemy
I am using version 2108,
I am not able to get back the undo.
Pls advise.
Hello V.Bhaskar,
If you’re using Excel version 2108 and the Undo function isn’t working, here are a few things you can try:
Check if any Add-ins or Macros are enabled: These can sometimes interfere with the Undo feature. Try disabling them temporarily and see if Undo works.
Avoid switching between workbooks or files before trying to undo: Excel may clear the Undo stack when moving between files.
Save and restart Excel: Occasionally, restarting the application can reset the Undo functionality.
Check for updates: There might be a fix in a newer build of Excel 2108 or a later version.
Regards
ExcelDemy