WD: How to Clear the Undo Stack

ID: Q118987

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a
• Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 6.0, 6.0.1
• Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a

SUMMARY

This article contains several methods for clearing the Undo stack in Word.

MORE INFORMATION

By design, you cannot turn off the Undo or Redo commands, nor can you change the maximum number of actions Word stores in the Undo or Redo stacks (up to approximately 100 or the total number of actions in one document).

NOTE: If you are experiencing out-of-memory or slow-performance problems, be sure to rule out other Word or system operations as the cause.

To clear the Undo and Redo stacks in Word, use any of the following methods.

Method 1: Word 6.x and later - Protect the Document for Forms

1. On the Tools menu, click Protect Document.

2. Under Protect Document For, click Forms.

3. Click OK.

NOTE: If you do not actually want to protect your document, click Unprotect Document on the Tools menu.

Method 2: Word 6.x, 7.x - Select the Mark Revisions While Editing Option

1. On the Tools menu, click Revisions.

2. Click to select the Mark Revisions While Editing check box.

3. Click OK.

NOTE: If you don't actually want to mark revisions in your document, clear the Mark Revisions While Editing option in the Revisions dialog box.

Method 3: Word 6.x, 7.x - View Merged Data

In a mail merge main document, click View Merged Data on the Mail Merge toolbar.

Method 4: Create and Use a Macro

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about the support options available from Microsoft, please see the following page on the World Wide Web:

   http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/refguide/

   Sub Main
      Dim Dlg As ToolsRevisions
      GetCurValues Dlg
      ToolsRevisions .MarkRevisions = Abs(Dlg.MarkRevisions - 1)
      ToolsRevisions .MarkRevisions = Dlg.MarkRevisions
   End Sub

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Word User's Guide," version 6.0, pages 14-15, 39, 40

Additional query words: slow slows uses up depleted depletes exhausted exhausts low memory oom insufficient enough out nukes nuked erase erases deletes delete remove removes vb vba vbe

Keywords          : kbmacroexample macword word6 word7 kbformat 
Version           : WINDOWS:6.0,6.0a,6.0c,7.0,7.0a; MACINTOSH:6.0,6.0.1
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbhowto

Last Reviewed: April 9, 1999