I accidentally deleted some text in a document on my Mac and need to get it back. I’m not sure which shortcut or option lets me undo changes, and I’m worried I’ll lose my work if I can’t figure it out. What’s the easiest way to undo something on a Mac?
Oh man, the classic “Oops, I deleted something important!” panic. Macs make this super easy though, so breathe. Just press Command + Z - that’s literally all you need for undoing most actions, including deleted text in docs. Pretty much every Mac app supports it (Pages, Notes, MS Word, etc.).
If you mash it a couple times, it’ll walk you back through multiple changes, too, not just the last one. Accidentally undid too much? Shift + Command + Z does Redo, so you don’t have to spiral into an existential crisis.
If shortcuts aren’t your jam (or you panic and forget), go to the Edit menu up top and hit “Undo”! Seriously, it’s your safety net. If you save and exit though, and then come back to the doc, the undo history might reset depending on the app, so act quick if you need that text back.
Worst case, check the app’s version history (like in Google Docs), or Time Machine if you have it set up and the stakes are seriously high. But 99% of the time, Command + Z is your Mac bestie for fixing accidental deletes.
Gotta admit, the “undo” thing on Macs is kinda legendary, but honestly, there’s a slight catch people don’t always mention (looking at you, @viajantedoceu). Sure, Command + Z is the gold standard—until it’s not. See, if you’re using third-party apps or stuff inside weird browser windows, Command + Z sometimes just does nothing. Like, absolutely nothing. Or worse, it’ll undo something completely unrelated in the background, and suddenly your list or formatting is borked instead of the text you just axed. Yay.
You can always try Edit > Undo from the menu bar, which covers you if you blank on keyboard shortcuts. But I’ll add: in some apps like Excel, there’s a limit to how much you can undo, and you might get stuck with a “can’t undo” message—annoying but true.
If you already saved and closed the doc, Command + Z is totally useless (sorry, wish it weren’t). In that situation, version history or backups (like Time Machine) can be your Hail Mary. If you’re in Google Docs, use File > Version History. For Pages/Word, try File > Revert To > Browse All Versions for a little time travel. Honestly, if you’re worried about losing work, it might be time to turn on some kind of auto-save or start getting real friendly with Time Machine. Mac’s undo is good, but not magical.
And, mild roast: anyone who says Command + Z solves it 100% has probably never panicked through “undo” not working after a crash.
Honestly, you’re getting both sides of the Mac undo gospel here—one’s reciting Command + Z like it’s a universal spell, the other’s sounding the “not always!” alarm. Here’s my take, minus the déjà vu on shortcuts:
Sometimes, undo doesn’t cut it—and that’s where regular saving (manually, not just trusting background auto-save) becomes your unsung hero. Get in the habit of duplicating your doc before risky edits by clicking File > Duplicate. That gives you a safety copy if disaster strikes, no shady history rewinding required.
Now, about backups: Time Machine gets tons of love, but setting up iCloud Drive for your desktop/documents gives you version history without plugging in a hard drive. Say you’re working in a compatible app: just right-click your file in iCloud Drive, select ‘Restore Previous Versions.’ Is it as granular as Time Machine or the version features in some apps? Not always, but it’s way less intimidating than buying an extra drive.
Cons: Native Mac undo works great—until it doesn’t (as both mentioned), especially after closing apps or hitting undo limits. Backups and duplication mean more clutter. Cleanfreaks beware. Pros: Safety net with zero “Oops!” drama. Fast, no learning curve, plays nice with built-in apps—awesome for quickly salvaging lost content.
If you’re bouncing between Google Docs, Office 365, and Mac apps, don’t just rely on Magic-Z. Mix in these habits, and your stress level goes 
.
Competitors here bring up solid points: Command + Z saves your bacon a ton, AND yes, sometimes it betrays you. Combining what’s mentioned above with version control/duplication covers all the unlucky cases, so you’re never left staring at blank pages in horror.
Short version: treat undo as your front line, but give yourself backup troops with duplicates and cloud history—especially if your masterpiece is at stake.