Vim seamless file split with same features over the split windows

Question

I have been searching for a way to do the following but haven't found exactly what I need, not sure if it's possible. I want to be able to split a file, but have the same features over the two splits as if I was in a single pane. Let me give an example:

• I have a 200 line file, and 80 line column length in my terminal.
• when I split, lines 0-79 should appear in the first pane, and lines 80-159 in the second (possible with mpage.vim, as I have tried).
• If I do a page down, the first pane should show lines 160-199, and the second pane should be empty.
• if I'm at the end of the first pane and hit j, it should jump to the first line of the next pane.

So basically what I'm looking for is to have a seamless split, but have everything operate as if I was in a single pane.

Answer 1

I have something similar to what you want:

" Two columns.
" 1. Vertically split window
" 2. Offset it one screen
" 3. Scrollbind
command! TwoColumns
            \   exe "normal! zR"
            \ | set noscrollbind
            \ | vsplit
            \ | set scrollbind
            \ | wincmd w
            \ | exe "normal! \<c-f>2\<C-e>"
            \ | set scrollbind
            \ | wincmd p

Not sure if you also want to change active window when you reach the last line.