Question

If you are editing a file in Vim and then you need to open an existing buffer (e.g., from your buffer list: :buffers), how can you open it in a vertical split?

I know that you already can open it with a normal split like:

:sbuffer N

Where N is the buffer number you want. However, the above opens that N buffer horizontally, not vertically.

I’m also aware that you can change the window placement after opening and have a vertical split like so:

Ctrl + W, H
Ctrl + W, L

Which will vertically split the window to the right or the left.

It seems to me that if there is a sbuffer there should be a vsbuffer, but that doesn’t exist (not that I am aware of).

Also, please note that I am not looking for a plugin to solve this question. I know about a wealth of plugins that will allow you to do this.

I am sure I might be missing something that is already there.

I have created a simple function with a mapping if someone else stumbles across this issue and do not want to install a plugin:

Function:

" Vertical Split Buffer Function
function VerticalSplitBuffer(buffer)
    execute "vert belowright sb" a:buffer
endfunction

Mapping:

" Vertical Split Buffer Mapping
command -nargs=1 Vbuffer call VerticalSplitBuffer(<f-args>)

This accomplishes the task of opening a buffer in a right split, so for buffer 1, you would call it like:

:Vbuffer 1

Answer 1

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