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Mr. Met
Mr. Met
Inspiring
February 28, 2026
Answered

InDesign 21.2 Undo Greyed Out and History Panel Blank on macOS Tahoe and Ventura

  • February 28, 2026
  • 54 replies
  • 1628 views

I installed Adobe 2026 on my imac. Now undo doesn’t work. It’s permanently grayed out. ID 21.2 on a Retina 5K running Ventura 13.7.8.

 

If you look at screen shot, I can’t undo the neon effect I made or undo the letter ‘M’ I deleted. 

I’m opening 2025 ID to see if that helps.

 

      Correct answer Sanyam Talwar

      I tried to reproduce the issue using InDesign v21.3.0.060 on macOS, but I wasn’t able to replicate it. Could you please check if the issue occurs on the InDesign 2026(v21.3.0.060) as well as the InDesign PreRelease build(v21.4.0.049)?

      Additionally, it would be very helpful if you could share the following details with us at sharewithID@adobe.com:

      Memory Pressure (important)

      • Open Activity Monitor → go to the Memory tab
      • Check the Memory Pressure graph at the bottom:
        • Green: System is performing well
        • Yellow: Some memory pressure
        • Red: High memory contention (this is where issues may occur)

      Collecting Logs via Terminal with InDesign v21.3.0.060

      1. Launch InDesign via Terminal
      2. Open Terminal
      3. Drag and drop the InDesign executable into Terminal:
        /Applications/Adobe\ InDesign\ 2026/Adobe\ InDesign\ 2026.app/Contents/MacOS/Adobe\ InDesign\ 2026
      4. Open History Panel (Window → History)
      5. Start working on a new or existing document
      6. When you notice the Undo/Redo issue, monitor the logs in Terminal and share them with us

      Workaround on macOS

      • Reverting to v21.1.0 appears to resolve the issue
      • Restarting InDesign or system may temporarily restore functionality
         

      <marking as best answer for better visibility on the thread>

      54 replies

      graphics_4075
      graphics_4075
      Inspiring
      August 6, 2026

      You are probably experiencing what is already a known bug over the past few months: 

       

       

      I would start with checking your Memory usage in the macOS Activity Monitor. 

       

      Also make sure to check your history panel when unable to undo and note if it functions correctly: does it update? are you able to revert to previous “versions” by clicking on the history panel? 

      Cheers
      L
      lauren_2617
      Participant
      August 6, 2026

      cmd+z indesign not working. it will work when i first open the doc but switch off at some point. have to restart the software to resolve it. edit>undo also appeared greyed out and unclickablei'm running on macOS tahoe 26.6, and indesign 21.4.1. I have also disabled generative AI features in my indesign preferences, restarted the machine and programs, uninstalled and reinstalled the indesign software, reset my preferences, and nothing fixes it. the issue has been happening randomly happening on and off for the past 8 months, spanning different versions of indesign. though random, it does seem to have a worse and more frequent effect the larger the file size. 

      Abhishek Rao
      Community Manager
      Abhishek RaoCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      August 11, 2026

      Hi @lauren_2617,


      I'm sorry you're continuing to experience this, especially after already trying several troubleshooting steps.

      Could you please provide the requested diagnostic information mentioned in the accepted response, including the Memory Pressure status and Terminal logs captured when Undo stops working? Please also try the suggested workarounds, such as restarting InDesign and testing with 21.1 if possible.

      Additionally, please update to the latest InDesign 21.5.1, disable both Generative AI options under InDesign Preferences, restart InDesign, and test again. If the issue persists, please let us know whether the History panel also stops updating when Undo becomes greyed out.


      Please keep us posted on the results so we can continue investigating this with the team.

      Abhishek

      M
      Matt
      Participant
      July 17, 2026

      I’m using 21.4.1 - this absoultely needs to be fixed as a top priority - not being able to undo make the software unusable

        nik.m
        Community Manager
        nik.mCommunity Manager
        Community Manager
        July 20, 2026

        Hi Matt, the team is working on a fix for this. 

        Please share the logs requested in the response from Sanyam along with a video. These would help us investigate things in more detail.

        Meanwhile, please try the workarounds suggested in the reply. 

         

        Thanks, 

        Nikunj 

          S
          Spirited_Rainbow5684
          Participant
          July 21, 2026

          i have the same now, undo is grayed out. apple M1 sequoia 15.7.4.

          S
          SKelly
          Participant
          July 9, 2026

          Is there a fix for this please? Using 21.4.1 and Mac OS Tahoe 26.5.1, and Undo/Redo functions are greyed out and unusable as per other user’s reports.

            S
            SKelly
            Participant
            July 9, 2026

            Further to this, I’m finding that the cursor constantly reflects the previous tool’s function rather than the active tool. I’m not an expert but this might reflect a general memory issue with this programme? Nothing already suggested in these threads fixes either of these issues for me. This is all very frustrating and is rendering this programme close to useless. Everything takes considerably longer than it should, and it is hard to use the active functions.

            S
            SKelly
            Participant
            July 9, 2026

            If anyone has any suggestions please, please share.

            Adobe please fix this ASAP.

            kyle_2357
            kyle_2357
            Participant
            June 30, 2026

            HOnestly Adobe … WTF????  I’m experiencing ALL sorts of bugs in your software.
            Unable to move grouped objects, unable to undo …. some fairly simple stuff that no longer works.
            Its completely UNEXCEPTABLE. You guys are dropping the ball. I’m sick of work arounds too.
            Resetting preferences is not acceptable. (It also didnt work) Its annoying having to set up a workflow all over. None of your subscribers should have to put up with this. Stop releasing untested software.
            Get the basics right -- and FIX it !!!! 

              leo.r
              Community Expert
              leo.rCommunity Expert
              Community Expert
              June 30, 2026

              Unable to move grouped objects

               

              It sounds like a bug in InDesign 21.4 that was fixed in 21.4.1. Is your InDesign updated? Also, what’s your operating system version?

               

              Resetting preferences is not acceptable. (It also didnt work) Its annoying having to set up a workflow all over.

               

              In general, I agree that resetting preferences can be a lousy solution, especially if should be done regularly. Some of the settings can be restored if you export them before the reset via the User Settings menu. I’m not sure if all settings can be restored this way as I didn’t have to reset them for years, fortunately.

              S
              SKelly
              Participant
              July 9, 2026

              I’m using 21.4.1 and it hasn’t fixed the bugs

              rick_0306
              rick_0306
              Participant
              June 25, 2026

              Absolute disgrace that a simple and core function as undo just does not work in 2026. God, Adobe is really the lowest of the low.

                leo.r
                Community Expert
                leo.rCommunity Expert
                Community Expert
                June 25, 2026

                What are your versions of InDesign and macOS?

                rick_0306
                rick_0306
                Participant
                June 25, 2026

                Hey!
                Indesign 21.4.1 
                Sonoma 14.6.1

                karenc13107848
                karenc13107848
                Participant
                June 16, 2026

                I am seeing this same bug in the latest install of InDesign 21.4, on Mac 26.5.1 (25F80), 16GB. This is a HUGE deal, please fix. Also when I try to move multiple items in Indesign it only moves 1, I have to group to get them to work. What happened? I am losing so much time, it is driving me nuts. I’ve just reinstalled InDeisgn and it still doesn't work even in a new file !!!!!!!!!  Seems if you were seeing this on previous versions you would have fixed by now. It is such an infuriating bug. And I’m losing so much time. HELP!

                leo.r
                Community Expert
                leo.rCommunity Expert
                Community Expert
                June 16, 2026

                Also when I try to move multiple items in Indesign it only moves 1, I have to group to get them to work. What happened?

                 

                A known bug in InDesign 21.4. Revert to InDesign 21.3 until it’s fixed (hopefully, soon):

                 

                S
                Community Manager
                Sanyam TalwarCommunity ManagerCorrect answer
                Community Manager
                April 21, 2026

                I tried to reproduce the issue using InDesign v21.3.0.060 on macOS, but I wasn’t able to replicate it. Could you please check if the issue occurs on the InDesign 2026(v21.3.0.060) as well as the InDesign PreRelease build(v21.4.0.049)?

                Additionally, it would be very helpful if you could share the following details with us at sharewithID@adobe.com:

                Memory Pressure (important)

                • Open Activity Monitor → go to the Memory tab
                • Check the Memory Pressure graph at the bottom:
                  • Green: System is performing well
                  • Yellow: Some memory pressure
                  • Red: High memory contention (this is where issues may occur)

                Collecting Logs via Terminal with InDesign v21.3.0.060

                1. Launch InDesign via Terminal
                2. Open Terminal
                3. Drag and drop the InDesign executable into Terminal:
                  /Applications/Adobe\ InDesign\ 2026/Adobe\ InDesign\ 2026.app/Contents/MacOS/Adobe\ InDesign\ 2026
                4. Open History Panel (Window → History)
                5. Start working on a new or existing document
                6. When you notice the Undo/Redo issue, monitor the logs in Terminal and share them with us

                Workaround on macOS

                • Reverting to v21.1.0 appears to resolve the issue
                • Restarting InDesign or system may temporarily restore functionality
                   

                <marking as best answer for better visibility on the thread>

                carrie68633120
                carrie68633120
                Participant
                April 17, 2026

                Just adding that my Undo is also grayed out/not working but History is not blank. It shows earlier moves but if I try to go back and select something, it moves me back to the starting place a second later (ie, I can’t functionally select an older version). Also, it doesn’t update when I use the app, almost as if it’s “maxed out” after only working a few minutes.  (I had previously reset preferences and Undo worked briefly after that.)

                Mac 26.3.1 with Indesign 21.2

                carrie68633120
                carrie68633120
                Participant
                April 17, 2026

                Just adding that I thought I had the latest Indesign but did not!  I’ve updated to 21.3 and so far, so good.

                  C
                  Christopher35448797zqw2
                  Participant
                  April 14, 2026

                  This is still a bug - Undo is a pretty essential function. And force quitting / restarting to be able to undo is absolutely bonkers. Please get this fixed.

                  leo.r
                  Community Expert
                  leo.rCommunity Expert
                  Community Expert
                  April 14, 2026

                  What InDesign version are you running?

                  C
                  Christopher35448797zqw2
                  Participant
                  April 14, 2026

                  21.3

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