•A new Schiff-base probe Sal-cn was developed and used for the reversible detection Al3+ (which can reversibly react to Al3+for 3 times) with high selectivity and sensitivity.•There was a significant increase in fluorescence at 435 nm and absorbance at 369 nm and 320 nm of the probe Sal-cn with the addition of Al3+.•LOD values for Al3+ were determined to be 0.21 μM which is lower compared to the reported values.•The mechanism was carried out by Job's plot, HR-MS and DFT, and the endogenous of Al3+ in living cells was investigated. Aluminium plays an important role in many areas, which has been shown to be associated with some serious diseases. According to the coordination of aluminium with N and O, we conducted probe Sal-cn for the detection of Al3+, the structure of Sal-cn was determined by HR-MS, NMR and IR. Sal-cn showed a good selective and sensitive response towards Al3+ via a fluorescence turn-on output. The detection limit was 0.21 μM. The mechanism was carried out by Job's plot, HR-MS and DFT and related to the coordination of aluminium. What's more, the reversibility showed that Sal-cn could be used for 3 times. Besides, Sal-cn was used for imaging of Al3+ in HEK293T cells. A simple, selective and reliable probe was investigated for the reversible detection of Al3+ (which can reversibly respond to Al3+ for 3 times), allowing us to visualise and analyse Al3+ with a low detection limit (0.21 μM) in living cells. Display omitted