Go to line number in a file using vim

You want to see line 3842 of file called my_super_long_file.py and you can only access that file using vim. You open the file and to your dismay, by default, vim doesn’t display line numbers. Here are your options:

• Arrow down and hope you find that line before retirement
• Display the line numbers by hitting : and typing set number. Now at least you can see the line numbers while you arrow down… (To remove line numbers, do: and type set nonumber)
• Go directly to that line by using one of the following options:
  • hit : and type the line number and enter, in this case :3842 enter
  • type the line number and hit SHIFT+g

Note: if you hit SHIFT+g without typing the line number, you go to the end of the file.

BONUS: You can accomplish the same thing in VSCode by hitting CTRL+g, typing the line number and enter

The post _Go to line number in a file using vim was originally published at _flaviabastos.ca

Comments

[José Guilherme Vanz]

Nice tips! I did not know the SHIFT+g one. :)
Another option I used a lot is the vim my_super_long_file.py +3842. Thus, vim open the file and jump directly to line I've specified in the command line. Thanks for you article!

[Flávia Bastos]

And I did not know about the option of opening on the line! Thanks for sharing!