![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.online-tech-tips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/google-docs.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nAbout Line Numbers in Google Docs\n<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There are a few things to remember when inserting line numbers in Google Docs.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- You can see the line numbers in blue on the left side of each line, including subtitles, headers, blank lines (after pressing Enter or Return), and in a table of contents<\/a> or bibliography.\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- You cannot change the style, color, or size of the line numbers as of this writing.\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- You can use continuous numbering throughout the document, start fresh on each page, or number document sections.\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- You can only use line numbers in the Pages format. If you use the Pageless format by default, you can switch by selecting File<\/span> > Page setup<\/span> > Pages<\/span>.\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.online-tech-tips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/how-to-add-line-numbers-in-google-docs-1-compressed.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nHow to Add Line Numbers in Google Docs\n<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When you\u2019re ready to insert line numbers, open your document in Google Docs on the web. The feature is not currently available on Android or iPhone’s Google Docs mobile app.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Select Tools<\/span> in the menu and choose Line numbers<\/span>.\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.online-tech-tips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/how-to-add-line-numbers-in-google-docs-2-compressed.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n- \n
- When the sidebar opens on the right, check the box at the top for Show line numbers<\/span>.\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.online-tech-tips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/how-to-add-line-numbers-in-google-docs-3-compressed.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n- \n
- You should then see the blue numbers to the left of each line.\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.online-tech-tips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/how-to-add-line-numbers-in-google-docs-4-compressed.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nTip<\/span>: You can add line numbers in a Microsoft Word document too.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Customize Line Numbers in Google Docs\n<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ll notice different options for your line numbers in Google Docs.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can choose one of the Line Numbering Modes<\/span> for how to number your document, including the entire document, or restarting at 1 on each page or section.\n<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.online-tech-tips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/how-to-add-line-numbers-in-google-docs-5-compressed.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nIn the Apply To<\/span> section, you can choose between the entire document or the section where your cursor is located. \n<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.online-tech-tips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/how-to-add-line-numbers-in-google-docs-6-compressed.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThe second option is grayed out if you don\u2019t have designated sections in your document, which we\u2019ll explain next. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to Add Line Numbers to Sections\n<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you have a document where you only want to number lines in certain sections rather than the entire document, you\u2019ll start by adding those sections. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Place your cursor where you want to create a new section. \n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Select Insert<\/span> in the menu and move to Break<\/span>. Choose the type of section you want to insert, whether continuous on the same page or a new page.\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.online-tech-tips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/how-to-add-line-numbers-in-google-docs-7-compressed.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n- \n
- If you want to see the location of your section break, you can select View<\/span> > Show non-printing characters<\/span> in the menu.\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.online-tech-tips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/how-to-add-line-numbers-in-google-docs-8-compressed.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n- \n
- Return to the Line Numbers sidebar. You can reopen it by selecting Tools<\/span> > Line numbers if you’ve closed it<\/span>. \n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Then, do one of the following depending on how you want to number the sections.\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Restart in Each Section\n<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Select Restart on each section<\/span> below Line Numbering Mode to start each section at number 1.\n<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.online-tech-tips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/how-to-add-line-numbers-in-google-docs-9-compressed.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nNumber the Current Section\n<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Select This section<\/span> below Apply To if you only want the line numbers in the section where your cursor is placed. \n<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.online-tech-tips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/how-to-add-line-numbers-in-google-docs-10-compressed.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThen, place your cursor in each other section and uncheck the Show line numbers<\/span> box in the sidebar.\n<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.online-tech-tips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/how-to-add-line-numbers-in-google-docs-11-compressed.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nYou can follow these same steps to number other sections in your document the same way. Then, refer to the line you need by specifying the section and line number within it. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tip<\/span>: You can also add page numbers for references in your document.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remove Line Numbers in Google Docs\n<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you want to remove the line numbers in your Google Docs document later, it\u2019s as easy as unchecking a box.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Open the sidebar by selecting Tools<\/span> > Line numbers<\/span>. Uncheck the Show line numbers<\/span> box at the top of the sidebar.\n<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.online-tech-tips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/how-to-add-line-numbers-in-google-docs-12-compressed.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nIf you numbered particular sections, place your cursor in the section to display the marked checkbox and uncheck it.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For a simple way to reference specific lines, sentences, or paragraphs in your documents, you now know how to add line numbers in Google Docs. For related tutorials, look at how to remove section and page breaks<\/a> too.\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
You may be working on a contract, script, or reference material where using line numbers is essential. You can refer to a line number for discussion, navigation, or changes. We\u2019ll […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":90,"featured_media":99461,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ub_ctt_via":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5322],"tags":[5399],"class_list":{"0":"post-99460","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-remote-work","8":"tag-google-docs"},"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.online-tech-tips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/google-docs.jpeg","author_info":{"display_name":"Sandy Writtenhouse","author_link":"https:\/\/www.online-tech-tips.com\/author\/swrittenhouse\/"},"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
- Then, do one of the following depending on how you want to number the sections.\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Return to the Line Numbers sidebar. You can reopen it by selecting Tools<\/span> > Line numbers if you’ve closed it<\/span>. \n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- If you want to see the location of your section break, you can select View<\/span> > Show non-printing characters<\/span> in the menu.\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
- You should then see the blue numbers to the left of each line.\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
- When the sidebar opens on the right, check the box at the top for Show line numbers<\/span>.\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n