How to Undo and Redo in SOLIDWORKS

Undo and Redo in SOLIDWORKS work much like they do in other Windows software, but the effect depends on what you are doing. A sketch edit, a dimension change, a feature edit, and a drawing annotation change do not always behave the same way. The safest habit is to use Undo for recent, simple changes and save a backup or version before making major model edits.

The standard shortcuts are Ctrl + Z for Undo and Ctrl + Y for Redo. You can also use the Undo and Redo buttons on the Standard toolbar when they are available.

Use Undo in SOLIDWORKS

1. Make sure the correct part, assembly, or drawing window is active.
2. Press Ctrl + Z or click the Undo button.
3. Watch the graphics area and FeatureManager tree to confirm what changed.
4. Repeat only if you clearly understand the next step in the undo history.

Undo is most reliable for recent actions such as sketching a line, changing a dimension, moving a note, deleting an entity, or editing a simple feature. It is less useful as a substitute for version control. If you need to test a major design change, save a copy, use a configuration, or create a new version before experimenting.

Use Redo after an Undo

Redo is available when you have undone an action and SOLIDWORKS can restore it. Press Ctrl + Y or click the Redo button. If you perform a new edit after undoing something, the redo history may no longer be available.

Why Undo may not work the way you expect

SOLIDWORKS is feature-based, so one visible result may depend on many earlier choices. Undo does not always mean “return the model to exactly how I remember it.” It means SOLIDWORKS will step backward through eligible actions in the current document and command context.

• The command is still active: finish or cancel the active command before using the normal Undo history.
• The wrong document is active: click inside the intended part, assembly, or drawing window first.
• A rebuild changed the model: review the FeatureManager tree and recent feature edits.
• You saved and closed the file: Undo history is not a replacement for saved versions.
• A macro or add-in made changes: automated changes may not undo one step at a time.

Undo inside sketches

Sketches are where Undo is used most often. If you trim the wrong entity, draw a construction line in the wrong place, or change a dimension by mistake, use Ctrl + Z immediately. The sooner you undo, the easier it is to predict the result.

For sketch-heavy work, it is also worth learning the related shortcuts and workflow habits in SOLIDWORKS keyboard shortcuts. Shortcuts can speed up editing, but they also make accidental changes easier, so keep an eye on the active command and selected entities.

Undo in parts, assemblies, and drawings

In a part, Undo may reverse a sketch entity, a feature edit, a dimension change, or a delete operation. In an assembly, it may reverse mate edits, component movement, or suppression changes. In a drawing, it may reverse note, dimension, view, or sheet edits.

After an undo in an assembly or drawing, rebuild and inspect the result. A mate can affect many component positions, and a drawing view can depend on model changes. If the file is important, save a new version before continuing.

Safer alternatives for major changes

Undo is fine for small mistakes. For larger changes, use a safer workflow:

• Save a copy before major edits.
• Use configurations to test design variations.
• Use Pack and Go when copying an assembly for a design branch.
• Use PDM or another version-control process if your team has one.
• Suppress features temporarily instead of deleting them immediately.

If you are working on hardware-heavy assemblies, review Smart Fasteners in SOLIDWORKS before making repeated manual fastener changes. Reducing repetitive edits also reduces the need to rely on Undo.

Quick shortcut summary

Action	Shortcut	Use it for
Undo	Ctrl + Z	Reverse the most recent eligible change
Redo	Ctrl + Y	Restore a change that was just undone
Cancel command	Esc	Exit many active tools before continuing

Reference: SOLIDWORKS Help lists Undo and Redo commands with the standard Ctrl + Z and Ctrl + Y shortcuts.