Git

How to Abort Git Merge

Git is one of the top decentralized version control systems primarily utilized when you want to work on the same project with multiple people as a team. On this platform, users can merge their work on branches. However, sometimes, while doing a merge, you may encounter conflicts if the same file exist in both of the merging branches. To resolve this specified issue, abort the ongoing Git merge.

In this blog, we have specified the process of aborting the Git merge. So, let’s get started!

How to Abort Git Merge with git reset Command?

To abort the Git merge, follow the below-provided method.

Step 1: Open Git Bash

Press the “CTRL + Esc” key to open the “Startup” menu, search for Git Bash and launch it:


Step 2: Navigate to Git Directory

Execute the “cd” command with the path of the specified Git directory in which you want to move:

C:\Users\nazma\My_branches

 

Step 3: Check Log History

Check the Git directory log history:

$ git log --oneline

 
Below output indicates that, our “master” and “develop” branches are merged:


Step 4: Reset HEAD

Now, run the “git reset” command to reset the position of HEAD:

$ git reset --hard HEAD

 
As you can see, we have successfully moved the HEAD to the “develop” branch, and merging is aborted:

How to Abort Git Merge with git merge Command?

Sometimes users create files with the same name and extension in multiple branches. In such a scenario, merging branches encounter errors, and as a solution, it is recommended to abort the merge.

To do so, follow the below-listed steps.

Step 1: Create Git Local Directory

Run the “mkdir” command to create Git local directory:

$ mkdir abort_merge

 

Step 2: Navigate to Directory

Navigate to the Git directory with the “cd” command:

$ cd abort_merge

 

Step 3: Initialize Git Directory

Initialize the Git repository by utilizing the “git init” command:

$ git init

 

Step 4: Create File

Create a file and placed some text in it:

$ echo world > abort.txt

 
Here, we have created a new file “abort.txt” in the “master” branch and placed a string in it:

Step 5: Add File to Git Repository

Add the untracked file into the Git repository using the following command:

$ git add .

 

Step 6: Commit Changes

Commit the changes into the repository with the required message:

$ git commit -m "1st commit"

 

Step 7: Create Branch

To create a new branch, execute the “git branch” command:

$ git branch develop

 
For instance, we have created a branch named “develop”:


Step 8: Switch to Branch

Next, switch to the created branch:

$ git switch develop

 

Step 9: Create File

Create a new file within the branch:

$ echo hello world > abort.txt

 

Step 10: Add File

Run the following command to add the created file into the Git repository:

$ git add .

 

Step 11: Commit Changes

Commit the changes with a message:

$ git commit -m "hello world"

 

Step 12: Switch to Branch

Next, switch to the “master” branch using the “git switch” command:

$ git switch master

 

Step 13: Display File Content

Run the “cat” command to display the content of the file:

$ cat abort.txt

 
As you can see, the content of “abort.txt” is displayed:


Step 14: Merge Branches

Now, merge the “develop” branch with the “master” branch by executing the given command:

$ git merge develop

 
The below output indicates that the branch merging process is in an intermediate state as the automatic merging failed due to conflict:


Step 15: Check Repo Status

Check the repository status:

$ git status -s

 
In the below output, the “UU” status indicates that the “abort.txt” file is currently in unmerging state and staging area:


Step 16: Abort Merging

Lastly, abort the merging process by utilizing the “get merge” with the “–abort” option:

$ git merge --abort

 
The error-free output indicates that the merging process of “develop” and the “master” branches is aborted successfully:


Now, check out the status of the Git repository to verify the abort merging:

$ git status

 
That’s it! The specified operation is performed successfully:


You have learned the easiest methods to abort Git merge.

Conclusion

To abort the existing merge, move to the Git directory and check the log history of the repository using the “$ git log” command. Then, execute the “$ git reset –hard HEAD” command to reset the position of HEAD. To abort the merge when the branch merging process fails due to conflict, execute the “$ git merge –abort” command in Git Bash. In this blog, we provided the process of aborting the Git merge.

About the author

Maria Naz

I hold a master's degree in computer science. I am passionate about my work, exploring new technologies, learning programming languages, and I love to share my knowledge with the world.