Ctrl+Z

Updated: 12/10/2023 by Computer Hope
Ctrl+Z keyboard shortcut

Alternatively called Control+Z and C-z, ^z, Ctrl+Z is a keyboard shortcut most commonly used to undo the previous action. Below are other programs that use this keyboard shortcut and related information.

Tip

Most programs that support the Ctrl+Z keyboard shortcut allow you to use it multiple times. For example, you could press and hold Ctrl, and press Z three times to undo the last three changes (if they exist).

Tip

The keyboard shortcut that is the opposite of Ctrl+Z is Ctrl+Y (redo).

Tip

On Apple computers, the shortcut to undo is Command+Z.

How to use the Ctrl+Z keyboard shortcut

To use this keyboard shortcut, press and hold either Ctrl key, and while continuing to hold, press Z.

Ctrl+Z in an Internet browser

In all major Internet browsers (e.g., Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera), pressing Ctrl+Z will undo any change made in a browser form or text field.

Ctrl+Z in Excel and other spreadsheet programs

In Microsoft Excel and other spreadsheet programs, pressing Ctrl+Z will undo any change made in a spreadsheet.

Ctrl+Z in Microsoft PowerPoint

In Microsoft PowerPoint, Ctrl+Z will undo any edit made to a presentation.

Ctrl+Z in Microsoft Word

In Microsoft Word and other word processors, pressing Ctrl+Z will undo any change made in a document.

Ctrl+Z in Google Docs

Pressing Ctrl+Z in Google Docs undoes any change made in a document.

Using Ctrl+Z with the copy con command

When using the MS-DOS copy con command, pressing Ctrl+Z finalizes the creation of a file and then saves it.

Ctrl+Z in a command line environment

While in a command line interface, such as Linux and Unix, Ctrl+Z is used to send a TSTP (temporary stop) signal to request it to stop temporarily.

Below are links to related keyboard shortcuts and individual key pages.

Ctrl, Keyboard shortcut, Keyboard terms, Undo, Z