See this image first. I am creating a stored procedure using the query editor. By default, the query editor does not show line numbers.
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But I want to know how many lines of code I have written. Like this,
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Well, why do I need line numbers at the first place?
The answer is simple. It makes debuging easy. Let us assume, you are working on a long script, be it a query or a stored procedure and while executing the query it throws an error message at Line 73 and 80. See the below.
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So, if you have the line numbers option activated, you can easily locate the error in the script. This is just one reason.
Great! So, how do I activate this option? Here are few simple steps you need to follow.
1) Open SQL Server Management Studio.
2) From the top menu, choose Tools and select Options….
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3) In the Options window, select Text Editor and click Transact-SQL.
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4) Finally, under Settings options check the Line numbers checkbox. Click the Ok button.
Note: If you are using an older version like SQL Server 2008, then the "Line numbers" checkbox will be under the Display options.
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The changes that you have made in the Options window, will reflect in all the Query windows. Now, if you open a new query window, it will show line number starting from 1.
If you do not want to see the line numbers, see the 4th step and uncheck the Line numbers checkbox.
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