Through using DSC, XRD, SEM, EDS, static tensile test and other analysis methods of materials, the effect of trace Ce on microstructure and properties of near-rapidly solidified Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy was studied in order to find out rational homogenizing heat treatment process. The results show that Ce plays a role of refining grain and purifying molten alloy. The addition of Ce reduces dendritic spacing, refines the grain structures, eliminates dispersed shrinkage. The addition of Ce reduces the initial melting point of low melting eutectic phases by 3℃, under the same homogenization conditions. Trace Ce promotes the dissolution of low melting eutectic phases into the matrix, which improves the effect of homogenization. Homogenization temperatures of alloy A should be lower than 480℃and alloy B should be lower than 470℃; the addition of Ce decreases the homogenization temperature and improves the homogenization effect. The addition of Ce also greatly increases the tensile strength of the alloys.