How Excel UNDO works with multiple workbooks

Overview

Having multiple Excel workbooks open at a time is a common scenario. This article provides examples of how Excel's UNDO feature behaves in such circumstances.

Example

Here is an example with four separate workbooks open in Excel:

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In cell A1 of Book1, we input the number 1:

Book1 spreadsheet with the number 1 entered in cell A1 and the Excel Undo button visible in the title bar

Then we input:

the number 2 in Book2
the number 3 in Book3
the number 4 in Book4

Book4 spreadsheet showing the number 4 in cell A1, illustrating that entries have been made across Book2, Book3, and Book4

Now, let's switch back to Book1 and hover the mouse cursor over the UNDO button on the Excel title bar:

Book1 active with the Undo button tooltip showing that clicking Undo will undo the last entry made in Book4, not Book1

Excel is going to UNDO the change in Book4!

Even though Book1 is currently displayed, the feature will UNDO changes (starting with the most recent one) made across all open workbooks, regardless of the currently active workbook tab.