How to Show Line Numbers in Vim / Vi

Introduction

Before we begin talking about how to show line numbers in Vim / Vi, let's briefly understand – What is Vim?

Many software engineers and Linux system administrators prefer Vim/Vi as their text editor of choice.

Vim does not display line numbers by default, but they can be easily enabled. Vim has three different line numbering options to help you browse through your files. Vim offers relative and hybrid line numbering in addition to the traditional absolute line numbering.

Line numbering can be beneficial in a variety of contexts, including pair programming, debugging scripts, code reviews, referencing to a specific line, and more.

This tutorial will show you how to use the Vim / Vi text editor to show or hide line numbers. We will also address a few FAQs on how to show line numbers in Vim / Vi.

Absolute Line Numbers

Absolute line numbering is the most common type of line numbering, in which the relevant line number is displayed next to each line of text.

Set the number flag, to enable line numbering:

1. To enter command mode, press the Esc key.
2. The pointer will travel to the bottom left corner of the screen if you press : (colon). Hit Enter after typing set number or set nu.

:set number

3. Line numbers will appear on the left side of the screen:

Run the :set nonumber or set nonu commands to turn off absolute line numbers:

:set nonumber

You can also use the command :set number! to toggle the line numbers or set nu!:

:set number!

Relative Line Numbers

The current line is presented as 0 when relative line numbering is enabled; the lines above and below the current line are gradually numbered (1, 2, 3, etc.).

Because many Vim operations, such as moving up/down and deleting lines, rely on relative line numbers, relative line mode is useful.

The d10j command, for example, can be used to remove the next ten lines below the cursor. You'll get a better visual overview of the code if relative line numbers are enabled.

Switch to command mode and type :set relativenumber or :set rnu to enable relative line numbering.

:set relativenumber

Use :set norelativenumber or set nornu: to deactivate relative line numbering.

:set nonumber

Use the :set relativenumber! or : set rnu! command to enable or disable relative line numbering :

:set number!

Hybrid Line Numbers

The hybrid line number mode is enabled in Vim 7.4 and later by enabling both absolute and relative line numbers at the same time.

The sole difference between hybrid and relative line numbering is that instead of displaying 0 on the current line, it displays its absolute line number.

Run both the number and relativenumber commands to enable hybrid line numbering:

:set number relativenumber

Running the commands one by one achieves the same result:

:set number 
:set relativenumber

To turn off the hybrid mode, you must disable both absolute and relative numbering.

Permanent Settings

Add the necessary command to your .vimrc if you want line numbers to appear every time you run Vim (Vim configuration file). To enable absolute line numbering, for example, use the following:

vim ~/.vimrc

:set number

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Conclusion

Use the :set number command to display absolute line numbers, and the :set relativenumber command to display relative line numbers in Vim. Vim switches to the hybrid line numbering mode if both absolute and relative line numbers are enabled.

If you have any queries, please leave a comment below and we’ll be happy to respond to them.