Use line numbers in Google Docs

The line numbers feature in Google Docs automatically calculates and displays the line position for a chosen portion of a document. The calculated line numbers show next to each line where the feature is turned on.

  • Improve readability and navigation: Line numbers make it easier for users to reference specific lines in their documents, specifically for long or complex documents.
  • Enhance collaboration: To provide a clear and consistent way to reference specific lines in a document, line numbers help multiple users to collaborate on a document.

Important: This feature isn’t available in documents that are in pageless format. If your document includes line numbers and you switch it to a pageless format, you won't see the line numbers . To use line numbers, make sure your document is in pages format.

Show line numbers in a document

  1. To show line numbers in a document, users with edit access can accept suggestions.
  2. To find line numbers, click Tools and then Line numbers.
  3. In the line numbers sidebar, select Show line numbers.
  4. By default, line numbers show and increase throughout the entire document.

Restart line numbers for new pages or sections

  1. You can restart line numbers for each page or section in a document.
  2. To restart line numbers, click Tools and then Line numbers. Then, select an option.
  3. Select an option:
    • Continue throughout the document
    • Restart on each page
    • Restart on each section
  4. Select where to apply to:
    • Entire document
    • This section

Show line numbers per section

  1. Users can show or hide line numbers for specific portions of a document.
    • If the document doesn't have a section, the option "This section" under "Apply to" will be disabled.
  2. To create sections, insert a section break:
    • Click Insert and then Break and then Section break (next page or continuous).
  3. From the line numbers sidebar, under “Apply to,” select Show line numbers and This section.

Tip: To show section breaks, click View and then Show non-printing characters.

Related resources

View document outlines, summaries, rulers, & non-printing characters

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