An operating wand for a window shade includes an elongate rod extending along a lengthwise axis, a catching portion protruding along the lengthwise axis from an end of the elongate rod, and a shoulder portion protruding sideways from the catching portion. The operating wand is operable to connect with and detach from a rail of a window shade. In particular, an end of the operating wand provided with the catching portion and the shoulder portion can engage with the rail for pushing or pulling the rail in movement so as to collapse or expand the window shade.