Try:
:vert sb N
which will open a left vertical split (by default, unless you have modified some options).
To open a split to the right, on the other hand:
:vert belowright sb N
You can use :split and :vsplit to divide the current area into two windows with the same buffer. If you supply an argument then one of the new windows is created with the argument as a file name used for the buffer in the new window
To gain more control over how the splits are created, you can combine the :vertical, :leftabove and :rightbelow commands. Also of use are the the :sfind and :sb commands.
Examples
:vertical sb 3- Create a vertical split and show buffer number 3 in the window to the left.
:vertical rightbelow sfind file.txt- Create a vertical split and read file.txt into the buffer in the right window.
:rightbelow sfind file.txt- Create a horizontal split and read file.txt into the buffer in the bottom window.
Navigating splitsEdit
Use Ctrl-W followed by one of the hjkl movement keys.
