• Simple shear deformation is introduced to regulate twinning texture. • The twin orientation rotates away from the transverse direction, due to shear deformation. • The regulated twin orientation still exists after annealing. • Based on the modification of grain orientation, the formability is greatly improved. To modify the basal texture and improve the formability of the magnesium alloy sheet, in-plane shear deformation is introduced into the pre-twinned AZ31 Mg alloy sheet. The twinning orientation is secondary regulated and rotates away from the transverse direction about 20° after shear deformation. After annealing, the recrystallized grains inherit the grain orientation of rotating twins. Thus, the basal texture is significantly weakened. Compared with the received sample, the average fracture elongation of sheared and annealed sample improves from 15.3 % to 28.5 %. The Erichsen value increases from 2.79 mm to 5.63 mm due to the secondary regulation of initial twin orientation (SRITO).