Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, and 2013. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: Increasing Undo Levels.
As you are working with a worksheet, Excel allows you to "undo" previous actions and return your worksheet to the condition before that action was taken. Normally you use Ctrl+Z to undo an action or you can use the Undo tool on the toolbar.
By default, Excel maintains your last 100 actions, but this number of undo levels can be misleading. There are some actions that can clear out the undo stack, making it impossible to undo any previous actions. For instance, running some macro commands can cause the stack to be cleared. In addition, some actions cannot be undone (they don't get placed on the stack).
If you find that the Undo command is simply of no use to you, it is possible that the number of undo levels in your installation of Excel has been changed. This cannot be done within Excel itself, but can be done in the Windows Registry. If the Registry value was changed to some very low value, then the undo tool loses meaning. The following Knowledge Base article explains how you can make changes to the proper Registry setting:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=211922
Note that the article in the Knowledge Base says it is for Excel 2000 through 2007. To the best of my knowledge, the Registry-hack approach will still work with later versions of Excel, as well. The only difference is that you'll need to choose the appropriate Registry key for your version of Excel.
While you can use this technique to increase the number of undo levels as high as you want, Microsoft suggests you don't increase the undo levels above 100, as there may be a serious hit on the performance of Excel.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (6132) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, and 2013. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Increasing Undo Levels.
Program Successfully in Excel! John Walkenbach's name is synonymous with excellence in deciphering complex technical topics. With this comprehensive guide, "Mr. Spreadsheet" shows how to maximize your Excel experience using professional spreadsheet application development tips from his own personal bookshelf. Check out Excel 2013 Power Programming with VBA today!
Gridlines are very helpful in seeing where cells are located on the screen. You are not limited to black gridlines; ...
Discover MoreWhat are you to do if you suspect that some of your worksheet functions aren't recalculating automatically? Here's some ...
Discover MoreThe Ribbon, while debatably handy, can be downright difficult to use for those with a sight impairment. Here are some ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2016-08-27 02:16:56
How do I disable undo and redo functionality in excel using VBA
2015-09-07 08:42:16
WARNING: messing with the registry without knowing what you do can irreversibly break your OS.
This tip is definitely not for beginners.
2015-09-05 09:26:36
Petros
This free Excel addin lets users change or disable Undo levels without the risk of registry corruption
http://www.spreadsheet1.com/excel-options-addin.html
Got a version of Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2019 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, and 2013. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: 
Comments