Everybody has them, those one or two shortcuts that they absolutely could not live without. For me, it is the Ctrl + Z keyboard shortcut for “Undo.” It is the magic eraser of the computer, and will allow you to undo up to the last 25 actions you have taken while the document is open.

That’s right, you can just magically go back in time by holding down the Control key and tapping the letter Z key!

Best of all, the shortcut is pretty much universal among all keyboard shortcuts. It will work for you in Office and Adobe programs (and everything else), and it will work on both Windows and Macintosh computers. In fact, I am so accustomed to using it that my fingers will automatically grab for the keys whenever I realize I made a mistake.

And, of course, if there is a way  back, there must be a way forward! Microsoft Office has the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Y to redo actions you have undone, and many other programs use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + Z to redo actions.

Now if I could only find a way to make Ctrl + Z work in the real world. Imagine being unable to un-tell that off-color joke or un-purchase that latest fad item. Oh, sigh!!