This is a tip on how to show line numbers in the SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) query window.

This is useful when you receive an error message with reference to a line in your code, although it’s not a necessity to have it enabled as you’ll see in the demo below. Also, some folks might prefer to have this enabled as a standard when writing code.

In this first part of this info post, I’m creating a test table and throwing an intentional error message (dateofbirth column on the 4th insert is not in the correct format) –

If we count down the lines of code we’ll get to a problem on the 4^th insert, line number 8.

To enable line numbers, click Tools at the top menu bar and select Options.

Navigate to Text Editor > Transact-SQL > General and tick Line numbers.

Now if we look at our query window, we’ll see numbers displayed.

If we double-click the error line, as shown above, it’ll jump to the referenced row whether you have lines shown or not. You can also use the Go To Line feature by hitting CTL+G.

In this next image, I’ve entered a breaking line in one of the default database system stored procedures to which SQL results in an error when I try to run/save.

The fail-line referenced is not always entirely accurate, as you can see above. I’d say most of the time the problem area is easy to spot, however, will be times when it’s not for sure.

Enabling line numbers will visually make it easier to see problem lines of code and it can also be handy for presenting. Other than that, it’s a general preference really.