Works Error: "Cannot Undo" or "Not Enough Memory for Undo" (120501)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Works 2.0
  • Microsoft Works 3.0
  • Microsoft Works 4.5
  • Microsoft Works 4.5a
  • Microsoft Works for Windows 95, version 4.0
  • Microsoft Works for Windows 95, version 4.0 4.0a
This article was previously published under Q120501

SYMPTOMS

When you are in a spreadsheet or in the database list view, and you select information to cut or delete, you may receive one or both of the following error messages in Works for Windows, versions 2.0 or 3.0:
Cannot Undo

-or-

Not enough memory for Undo: Continue?
In Works 4.0, 4.5, or 4.5a, you may receive the following message:
OK to continue without undo?

There is not enough memory for undo. If you continue you will not be able to undo the command.

RESOLUTION

These are generic error messages that occur under several different circumstances. Each cause is listed below with its corresponding resolution.

Reason 1

This message most commonly occurs when Works does not know how to undo the specific task that you are trying to accomplish. (This does not cause any harm.)

For example, there is no way that Works can undo a deleted record if there are hidden records immediately after the record that you are deleting. In this case, save the document, then delete the record. If you decide you do not want to have that record deleted, close the changed document without saving the changes, then open the last saved document.

NOTE: Opening the last saved document while the changed document is open will generate the message "File with same name already open." The same behavior will occur after step 2 below.

Reason 2

If you have cut information that contains a formula, there may not be enough space in the buffer to perform the recalculation necessary in an Undo procedure.

In this case, save the document, then cut the information that contains the formula. If you decide you don't want the formula cut, open the last saved document.

Reason 3

You don't have enough system memory to perform the Undo. Close any open applications and clean boot the system to provide more memory for Works.

For additional information about clean booting the system, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

99297 Works: Troubleshooting Guide for General Protection Faults

122051 How Windows 95 Performs a Safe Mode Start

87290 What Is a Clean Boot for Windows 3.1?

90511 What Is a Clean Boot for Windows for Workgroups?

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/15/2004
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB120501
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