If you have used Word on both Windows and Mac, you may have noticed that pressing Ctrl+Y does not always produce the same result. On Windows, Ctrl+Y repeats the last action, while on Mac, the same key combination sometimes opens the Find and Replace dialog. This inconsistency confuses users who switch between operating systems. The difference comes from how each platform maps keyboard shortcuts and how Word adapts to those system-level defaults. This article explains the root cause of the behavior difference and shows you how to make Word for Mac repeat the last action using the same key.
Key Takeaways: Ctrl+Y Behavior in Word Across Platforms
- Ctrl+Y on Windows: Repeats the last action by default. This is the standard behavior in all Windows applications.
- Cmd+Y on Mac: Opens the Find and Replace dialog in Word for Mac because macOS reserves the Repeat command for Cmd+Shift+Z.
- Customize Keyboard > Commands > EditRepeat: You can assign Cmd+Y to repeat the last action in Word for Mac, overriding the default mapping.
Why Ctrl+Y Behaves Differently on Windows and Mac
The root cause is a difference in operating system keyboard shortcut conventions. On Windows, the standard shortcut for repeating the last action is Ctrl+Y. This applies to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and most other Windows programs. Microsoft designed Word for Windows to follow this convention.
On macOS, Apple reserves the Cmd+Y shortcut for the Show or Hide Finder toolbar command at the system level. The standard Mac shortcut for repeating the last action is Cmd+Shift+Z, which mirrors the Redo command in many Mac applications. When Microsoft ported Word to Mac, it had to avoid conflicting with macOS system shortcuts. Instead of assigning Cmd+Y to repeat the last action, Word for Mac uses Cmd+Y to open the Find and Replace dialog. This mapping matches the Mac version of the Find command, which uses Cmd+Y in some other Mac applications.
Additionally, Word for Mac uses a different keyboard shortcut for Redo. On Windows, Ctrl+Y also acts as Redo after an Undo. On Mac, Cmd+Shift+Z serves as Redo. This further separates the behavior of Cmd+Y on the two platforms.
How Word Maps the Repeat Command Internally
Word stores the Repeat command internally as “EditRepeat.” The keyboard shortcut assigned to EditRepeat depends on the operating system and the Word version. On Windows, EditRepeat is bound to Ctrl+Y by default. On Mac, EditRepeat is bound to Cmd+Shift+Z by default. You can view and modify these mappings in the Customize Keyboard dialog in both versions of Word.
How to Make Cmd+Y Repeat the Last Action in Word for Mac
If you prefer the Windows behavior and want Cmd+Y to repeat the last action in Word for Mac, you can remap the keyboard shortcut using the Customize Keyboard feature. Follow these steps:
- Open the Customize Keyboard dialog
In Word for Mac, click the Tools menu in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Select Customize Keyboard from the dropdown menu. This opens a dialog where you can view and change all keyboard shortcuts. - Locate the EditRepeat command
In the Categories list on the left, scroll down and select Edit. In the Commands list on the right, scroll down and select EditRepeat. The current shortcut keys assigned to EditRepeat appear in the Current keys box. By default, you will see Cmd+Shift+Z listed there. - Remove the existing shortcut if needed
If you want Cmd+Y to be the only shortcut for EditRepeat, you must first remove the default Cmd+Shift+Z. Select Cmd+Shift+Z in the Current keys box and click the Remove button. This step is optional — you can keep both shortcuts active. - Assign Cmd+Y to EditRepeat
Click inside the Press new keyboard shortcut box. Press the Cmd key and the Y key simultaneously. The box will display Cmd+Y. Click the Assign button to add this shortcut to the EditRepeat command. The new shortcut appears in the Current keys list. - Close the dialog and test
Click OK to close the Customize Keyboard dialog. Type some text in a Word document, then press Cmd+Y. Word now repeats the last action instead of opening Find and Replace.
What Happens to the Find and Replace Shortcut
After you assign Cmd+Y to EditRepeat, the Find and Replace dialog no longer opens with Cmd+Y. The default shortcut for Find and Replace on Mac is Cmd+Shift+H. You can continue to use that shortcut. If you prefer a different shortcut for Find and Replace, you can remap it using the same Customize Keyboard dialog. Locate the EditFind command under the Edit category and assign a new shortcut.
If the Remapped Shortcut Does Not Work
After remapping, some users find that Cmd+Y still opens Find and Replace. This usually happens because the change was not saved properly or because a conflicting add-in overrides the mapping. Follow these checks:
Cmd+Y Still Opens Find and Replace After Remapping
Open the Customize Keyboard dialog again and verify that Cmd+Y appears in the Current keys list for EditRepeat. If it does not, repeat the assignment steps. If it does, close Word completely and restart it. Some add-ins, especially third-party citation or grammar tools, can intercept keyboard shortcuts. Temporarily disable all add-ins by going to Tools > Templates and Add-ins and unchecking all items. Test the shortcut again. If it works, enable add-ins one by one to find the culprit.
Mac System Keyboard Shortcuts Interfere With Word
macOS has its own system-wide keyboard shortcuts that can override application shortcuts. By default, macOS does not assign any system shortcut to Cmd+Y, so this is rarely an issue. However, if you have customized your macOS keyboard shortcuts in System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts, check that Cmd+Y is not assigned to a system function like Show Desktop or Launchpad. Remove any conflicting system assignments.
Word for Windows vs Word for Mac: Keyboard Shortcut Comparison
| Action | Windows Shortcut | Mac Default Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Repeat last action | Ctrl+Y | Cmd+Shift+Z |
| Redo | Ctrl+Y | Cmd+Shift+Z |
| Find and Replace | Ctrl+H | Cmd+Shift+H |
| Find (basic) | Ctrl+F | Cmd+F |
| Open Customize Keyboard | Alt+F, T, then click Customize | Tools > Customize Keyboard |
The table shows that the Repeat and Redo actions share the same shortcut on Windows but have separate shortcuts on Mac. This is the main reason for the confusion. On Mac, Redo is Cmd+Shift+Z, and Repeat is also Cmd+Shift+Z. They are effectively the same command in Word, but the system treats them differently.
After remapping, you can now use Cmd+Y to repeat the last action in Word for Mac, matching the Windows behavior. To further customize your workflow, explore the Customize Keyboard dialog to assign other Windows-style shortcuts such as Ctrl+Shift+V for paste without formatting. One advanced tip: you can export your keyboard customization settings using the Normal.dotm template. Copy the Normal.dotm file from Word’s startup folder to another Mac running Word to apply the same shortcuts instantly.