How to set line numbers in a file using vi or vim (Linux)

Overview

Usually, a Linux file is displayed without line numbers when opened with vi or vim. The below command can be used to display line numbers in vi or vim editor

:set nu + Enter key

Example

Below is the example to set line numbers in a file:

• Create  a temp file with some content:

~ $ touch temp.txt
~ $ echo $'this is line 1\nthis is line 2\nthis is line 3\nthis is line 4' > temp.txt

• Check the content of temp file using cat command:

~ $ cat temp.txt
this is line 1
this is line 2
this is line 3
this is line 4

• Now open the temp file with vi or vim and then type “:set nu” and then press Enter key. This will show line numbers in the opened editor like below:

1 this is line 1
2 this is line 2
3 this is line 3
4 this is line 4
~
~
~
~
:set nu

Users can use the above method to go to the desired line number. Once the operation is completed, the file can be closed with “:q!” (to quit the file without saving changes) or “:wq” (to quit the file with saved changes).