How can I permanently enable line numbers in IntelliJ?

Question

How can I permanently enable line numbers in IntelliJ IDEA?

why don't all IDE's have the default to "yes show line numbers", how do you debug anythign without using line numbers ? — NimChimpsky, Sep 10 '12 at 08:43
Most IDE's have the line number where your mouse cursor is in the status bar, but that's not too useful. Normally there is line numbers in stack traces right? In VIM you can jump to line numbers G, and Sublime Text, Ctrl+g (type in line number). What's the benifit of line numbers if you can jump straight where you want to go? — Dauh Fhauc, Sep 13 '13 at 13:43
What I like the most about the line number column is that it provides an easy hit area for selecting multiple lines without having to fiddle with exact cursor placement. — Eric Cosky, Dec 31 '14 at 17:32
@NimChimpsky Well error messages (and the stack trace) in IntelliJ are links to the line of the code the error occurs on, so it's not too bad. — Anubian Noob, May 05 '15 at 00:27
I also can't imagine people working without line numbers switched on. And never the less you might possibly don't need it because you just click on links in stacktraces. It gives you orientation in the code and might also be usefull if you talk to someone else about fragments of it. — ccDict, Oct 29 '15 at 08:45
All of you talking about clicking on stack traces are assuming that the stack trace being debugged is generated in the IDE. This is almost never the case in a real world scenario. You get a stack trace from a client and then you need to track it down. — Dan, Feb 03 '16 at 15:06
@nullpointer: There never will. Looks like the user who asked the question has been deleted. — Sebastian, Aug 01 '16 at 07:51
@Dan IntelliJ these days allows for analyzing an external stacktrace which makes lines into known code clickable. — Thorbjørn Ravn Andersen, Oct 30 '22 at 18:17

Dónal · Answer 1 · 2016-02-25T10:16:33.990

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IntelliJ 14.X Onwards

From version 14.0 onwards, the path to the setting dialog is slightly different, a General submenu has been added between Editor and Appearance as shown below

enter image description here

IntelliJ 8.1.2 - 13.X

From IntelliJ 8.1.2 onwards, this option is in File | Settings¹. Within the IDE Settings section of that dialog, you'll find it under Editor | Appearance.

On a Mac, these are named IntelliJ IDEA | Preferences...

enter image description here

edited Feb 25 '16 at 10:16

answered May 26 '09 at 18:46

Dónal

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Cntrl + Shift + a --- Then type in "show line numbers". I use cntrl+shift+a for finding most menu stuff. – Uncle Iroh Dec 27 '12 at 17:39
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For the Mac new-schoolers, Android Studio > Preferences > Editor > Appearance > Show line numbers – whyoz May 21 '13 at 17:29
File | Settings | Editor | Appearance is where to find it in Android Studio, too (for obvious reasons?). – DSlomer64 Jul 02 '14 at 17:17
Confirmed: It's in the same place in Android Studio 0.8.2, too. – David Murdoch Aug 01 '14 at 19:27
And if you don't like the Line Number color (used to be angry red) you can change that under Color & Fonts : General : Line Number – osundblad Dec 03 '14 at 23:05
Even faster: press SHIFT-SHIFT; type 'line number'; the option shows in the menu and press ENTER to enable/disable; Et voila ;) – Samuel Kerrien Sep 18 '15 at 10:01
It's still there (see IntelliJ 14.X) in IntelliJ IDEA 15 EAP. – ROMANIA_engineer Sep 26 '15 at 15:42
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Still the same place in version 15.0... :-) – sgirardin Feb 24 '16 at 15:14
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NOT there in IntelliJ 2016.x :( The Shift-Shift workaround still works though. – csvan Apr 19 '16 at 15:23
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@csvan it's still there in IntelliJ 2016.1.1 under the appearance menu – Dónal Apr 20 '16 at 09:00
CTRL+SHIFT+A on windows only activates it in the current editor for the current session. SHIFT+SHIFT(as in the comment earlier and another answer) is permanent. – Zoe Nov 26 '16 at 14:40
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An important note: if you want to permanently enable line numbers for all future projects, you should make sure you're editing the `Default Settings`. You can access these from the `File` menu just below `Settings`, or when all projects are closed. – JJ Brown Jun 09 '18 at 00:00

score 381 · Answer 2 · edited Nov 15 '17 at 17:15

381

The question is obviously well answered already, but since IJ 13 you can enable line numbers in 2 seconds flat:

Press shift twice
Type "line number"
The option shows in the menu and press enter to enable/disable.

enter image description here

Et voila ;)

edited Nov 15 '17 at 17:15

Martin

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answered Apr 14 '15 at 07:07

Samuel Kerrien

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As @user3218743 said, turning line numbers on this way is TEMPORARY. This is not the optimal solution. – Shadoninja Mar 09 '16 at 20:24
In what way is it temporary? – dinosaur Apr 21 '16 at 22:38
if you start IJ and have line numbers disabled, run the instruction to enable it, then restart IJ, then the line numbers are disabled again ... – Samuel Kerrien Apr 27 '16 at 09:11
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@user3218743 and @SamuelKerrien It depends on which of the one of the `show line number`s you select. There is one which turns it on/off temporary and one which changes settings (with an on/off toggle at end of line) – osundblad Apr 28 '16 at 07:11
It doesn't work for me in Idea 2016, for some reason (Shift+Shift) :( – manuna Jan 06 '17 at 11:54
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@manuna: just for clarity, you have to press *and release* `Shift` **two times consequently**, something like a "double click". Not hold the both `Shift`s at the same time :) – Honza Zidek Mar 15 '17 at 09:56
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@HonzaZidek : thanks, I did hold two Shifts at the same time :) – manuna Mar 16 '17 at 10:23
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Shift then Shift should surely be written Shift, Shift not Shift+Shift. – charles-allen Aug 02 '17 at 14:27
This worked for me to enable line numbers in active view editor configurations which by default is disabled for large files – Sathish Nov 26 '20 at 13:42

itsho · Answer 3 · 2020-03-17T17:13:34.430

110

NOT a solution, rather a TEMPORARY solution which only works only for the current editor and current session:

Simply right click on the place where the line-numbers should be, and there you'll see a small menu.

then, mark the "Show Line Numbers" option.

enter image description here

Please note that this only works on a per-file basis, however. Enjoy.

edited Mar 17 '20 at 17:13

answered Nov 25 '11 at 08:54

itsho

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This is the most temporary way of turning line numbers on. The top answer is the proper way to do this so it sticks. – Shadoninja Mar 09 '16 at 20:24
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Only the current editor and current session. Removed on restarting android studio and does not show in any other windows. – Zoe Nov 26 '16 at 14:40
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This does **not** answer the question! *How can I **permanently** enable line numbers in IntelliJ IDEA?* – Honza Zidek Sep 11 '18 at 08:30
If you are aware that your post does not answer the question, I think it should have been posted as a comment only, not as an answer. – Honza Zidek Sep 11 '18 at 23:23

Radu Bompa · Answer 4 · 2014-05-12T11:24:20.620

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In Intellij 13 the layout has changed, the Settings button can only be found in File -> Settings and not in the toolbars, and from there you follow the same steps: Editor -> Appearance -> Show line numbers, or search for Line numbers in the Settings search input. Intellij Settings search for line numbers

edited May 12 '14 at 11:24

answered Oct 10 '13 at 19:21

Radu Bompa

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In Intellij 14 it's now File -> Settings -> Editor -> General -> Appearance -> Show line numbers. Or Search for "Line Numbers". – Radu Bompa Jan 29 '15 at 10:08

teobais · Answer 5 · 2016-05-24T14:23:45.083

Android Studio 1.3.2 and on, IntelliJ 15 and on

Global configuration

File -> Settings -> Editor -> General -> Appearance -> Show line numbers

Current editor configuration

First way: View -> Active Editor -> Show Line Numbers (this option will only be available if you previously have clicked into a file of the active editor)

Second way: Right click on the small area between the project's structure and the active editor (that is, the one that you can set breakpoints) -> Show Line Numbers.

Shiham · Answer 6 · 2012-07-20T03:31:47.063

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For InteliJ IDEA 11.0 and above
Goto File --> Settings in the Settings window Editor --> Appearance
and tick Show line numbers check box.

enter image description here

edited Jul 20 '12 at 03:31

answered Dec 28 '11 at 10:09

Shiham

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This exact answer has [already been posted](http://stackoverflow.com/a/912112/447356) two and half years ago by Don. – Shadow The GPT Wizard Dec 28 '11 at 10:12
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I looked again in the posts. They are the same, the slight difference does not justify new answer you could add comment on the existing answer saying something like "it also exist in version 11" and maybe explain this slight difference. – Shadow The GPT Wizard Jul 20 '12 at 11:27

score 33 · Answer 7 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:34

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IntelliJ 14 (Ubuntu):

See: how-do-i-turn-on-line-numbers-permanently-in-intellij-14

Permanently:

File > Settings > Editor > General > Appearance > show line numbers

Editor

For current Editor:

View > Active Editor > Show Line Numbers

Menu

edited May 23 '17 at 12:34

Community

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answered Nov 20 '14 at 05:44

JBaczuk

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ROMANIA_engineer · Answer 8 · 2016-08-17T10:17:24.117

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IntelliJ IDEA 15

5 approaches

Global change

File > Settings... > Editor > General > Appearance > Show line numbers
Hit Shift twice > write "line numbers" > Show Line Numbers (that one that has the toggle) > change the toggle to ON

Change for the Active Editor

Right click on the left side bar > Show Line Numbers
Hit Shift twice > write "line" > Show Line Numbers (the line doesn't have the toggle)
Ctrl + Shift + A > write "Show line" > Active Editor: Show Line Numbers > change the toggle to ON

edited Aug 17 '16 at 10:17

answered Jan 10 '16 at 23:33

ROMANIA_engineer

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Casper LI mentioned that **Android Studio 1.5.1** is similar with IntelliJ IDEA 15 regarding the line numbers. – ROMANIA_engineer Feb 03 '16 at 10:56

score 23 · Answer 9 · answered Dec 16 '14 at 10:17

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Ok in intelliJ 14 Ultimate using the Mac version this is it.

IntelliJ Idea > Preferences > Editor > General > Appearance > Show Line Numbers

answered Dec 16 '14 at 10:17

Shawn Vader

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For those who have been struggling on Mac like I was to find this, don't be tricked by the "Appearance & Behavior" Tab, Like @Shawn said, it is under the editor tab, there are multiple levels with name appearance. Also Make sure you are looking at the settings under preferences. – Unome Mar 10 '15 at 17:00
@Unome Not only Mac, Windows too. – Ajay Aug 24 '16 at 22:09

score 20 · Answer 10 · answered Aug 07 '13 at 18:05

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On IntelliJ 12 on MAC OSX, I had a hard time finding it. The search wouldn't show me the way for some reason. Go to Preferences and under IDE Settings, Editor, Appearance and select 'Show line numbers'

enter image description here

answered Aug 07 '13 at 18:05

Siddhartha

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score 15 · Answer 11 · answered Jul 12 '15 at 13:25

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Android Studio

Go to Android Studio => Preferences => Editor => General => Appearance => set Checked "Show line numbers"

enter image description here

answered Jul 12 '15 at 13:25

Guy West

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score 15 · Answer 12 · answered Jan 07 '16 at 06:52

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I just hit this with IdeaVim plugin installed, where even if I set Show Line Numbers, it continued to revert to hiding them.

The (forehead-slapping-worthy) solution was:

:set nu

answered Jan 07 '16 at 06:52

mpontillo

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L Y E S - C H I O U K H · Answer 13 · 2018-10-08T14:40:05.857

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I add this response for IntelliJ IDEA 2018.2 - Ultimate.

Using menu

IntelliJ Idea > Preferences > Editor > General > Appearance > Show Line Numbers

Using Shortcuts - First way

For Windows : Ctrl+Shift+a
For Mac : Cmd+shift+a

Using Shortcuts - Seconde way

Touch Shift twice

These three methods exist since the last 4 versions of Intellij and I think they remain valid for a long time.

edited Oct 08 '18 at 14:40

answered May 01 '18 at 09:28

L Y E S - C H I O U K H

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Rohit · Answer 14 · 2015-03-25T08:59:13.967

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1st way: Go to View => Active Editor => show line numbers

enter image description here

2nd way Go to Android Studio => Preferences => Editor=> Appearance => set Checked "Show Line Numbers"

enter image description here

edited Mar 25 '15 at 08:59

answered Feb 23 '15 at 05:19

Rohit

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score 13 · Answer 15 · edited Jan 07 '19 at 12:06

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For 9.0.4

File > Settings

In the tree view group

------------IDE Settings ---------

Click the Editor [+]

Select Appearance... Its there.

edited Jan 07 '19 at 12:06

Dónal

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answered Sep 01 '11 at 12:30

Itumac

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score 10 · Answer 16 · answered May 03 '13 at 19:17

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On Mac Intellij 12.1.2 there is no File-Settings:

There is an application-name menu item to the left of "File" with a "preferences" menu item:

Choosing "Preferences" on the Mac.

and within that is the "Settings" dialog shown by the Windows Intellij.

answered May 03 '13 at 19:17

Owen

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score 10 · Answer 17 · answered Dec 08 '14 at 07:48

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In IntelliJ 14 it has moved again somewhat down the menu.

Now we have it unter Editor -> General -> Appearance

enter image description here

answered Dec 08 '14 at 07:48

MaxM

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score 8 · Answer 18 · answered Feb 10 '16 at 08:54

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Just an update for Android Studio 1.5.1 on Windows:

Go to File -> Settings -> follow picture

answered Feb 10 '16 at 08:54

Choletski

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score 7 · Answer 19 · answered May 17 '16 at 16:05

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On IntelliJ IDEA 2016.1.2

Go to Settings > Editor > General > Appearance then check the Show Line number option

answered May 17 '16 at 16:05

A0__oN

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Is 'Settings' in IDEA 2016.1.2 called 'preferences'? I'm new to IntelliJ, so I don't want to edit that in this Answer before asking... – cellepo Jun 08 '16 at 23:34
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@cellepo Menu File > Settings – Alexis Heijmeijer Jun 30 '16 at 21:06

score 6 · Answer 20 · edited Sep 24 '19 at 17:24

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IntelliJ 2019 community edition has line number by default. If you want to show or hide line numbers, go to the following settings to change the appearance.

go to → File → Setting → Editor → General → Appearance → [Check] Show line numbers

edited Sep 24 '19 at 17:24

Trenton McKinney

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answered Sep 24 '19 at 16:47

Md. Jamal Uddin

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in OSX this is under the "IntelliJ IDEA" menu not the file menu. – ether_joe Feb 22 '20 at 19:16

score 5 · Answer 21 · answered Apr 24 '20 at 08:51

For IntelliJ 20.1 or above, on Mac OSX:

IntelliJ IDEA -> Editor -> General -> Appearance -> Show line numbers

Point to be noted: Always look for Editor

For shortcut:

⌘ + ⇧ + A (command + shift + A)

type

and click on the pop up to turn on Show line numbers and you are good to go.

How can I permanently enable line numbers in IntelliJ?

21 Answers21

IntelliJ 14.X Onwards

IntelliJ 8.1.2 - 13.X

Android Studio 1.3.2 and on, IntelliJ 15 and on

IntelliJ IDEA 15

5 approaches

Global change

Change for the Active Editor

Linked

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