Photoshop makes it easy to undo and redo changes. Whether you want to simply undo a mistake, redo an action, or go further back in history, each of these tasks can be performed with a simple keyboard command or in a couple of clicks.

In this tutorial, we will show you two keyboard commands that every Photoshop beginner should learn before editing a photo. We’ll also show you how to access Photoshop’s History panel so that you’ll be able to revisit an earlier point in your editing workflow to begin again.

Let’s get started!

How to Undo in Photoshop

One of the most useful and frequently used commands in Photoshop is the Undo command. When performed, it will undo your previous action in Photoshop.

As of the October 2018 release of Photoshop CC (20.0), you can undo multiple steps all the way back to your last save point.

Here are the two keyboard shortcuts you can use to perform the Undo action.

  • On Windows: Press Ctrl + Z
  • On Mac: Press Command+ Z

Alternatively, actions can be undone through the Photoshop menu by choosing Edit > Undo. Note that Photoshop will identify the last action performed to be undone. In this example, a New Layer was created and therefore, Undo New Layer appears in the menu.

Undo New Layer

The undo command is particularly useful when you’re performing a more complicated task, such as when resizing layers in Photoshop.

How to Redo in Photoshop

Redoing an action in Photoshop is also very easy. It comes in handy, as it prevents you from having to search through menus to perform the same action over and over again.

Here are the two ways to perform the redo action:

  • On Windows: Press Shift + Ctrl + Z
  • On Mac: Press Shift + Command + Z

Alternatively, the Redo option is available in the Photoshop menu by choosing Edit > Redo. Just like in the Undo example, Photoshop will identify the action that is available and will make note of it in the menu. In this example, Redo Layer Via Copy is the menu option.

Redo Layer Via Copy

The Redo command is a convenient way to repeat specific actions, especially when working on a complex project.

Related: How to Use Adobe Camera Raw as a Smart Object in Photoshop

How to Access the History Panel

The History panel is very useful if you want to go back and start editing from an earlier point in your workflow.

To access History in the Photoshop menu, go to Window > History.

Window History

Below is an example of the History panel for this particular Photoshop session. The older actions appear at the top of the menu. To go back to a previous version, simply click on the menu action where you would like to begin again.

History Panel

You can also access History by clicking on the History panel tab. If you do not see History in your workspace, you can add it by following the steps we've outlined above.

Photoshop's Best Tools Are Simple and Easy to Use

Photoshop Full Screen

Photoshop wisely provided shortcuts and commands for performing undo and redo actions, saving a lot of time for users. In fact, there are dozens of shortcuts for performing other actions in Photoshop. Memorizing them can help the photo editing process go a lot smoother.

Image Credit: Soumil Kumar/Pexels