Can I split emacs the window 4 ways (vertically and horizontally) in a 4 grid layout with different files in each?

Question

I just started using emacs and since I have been using Sublime Text for a while, I am used to the four-grid-layout with 4 windows stacked horizontally and vertically. I have been able to split the screen horizontally only. How do I split it 4 ways?

Answer 1

To split the window in half with a vertical divider, use the command split-window-right. To split it in half with a horizontal divider, use the command split-window-below.

For example, assume we have this window by default:

.-------------.
|             |
|             |
|             |
|             |
|             |
'-------------'

M-x split-window-right RET:

.-------------.
|      |      |
|      |      |
|      |      |
|      |      |
|      |      |
'-------------'

M-x split-window-below RET:

.-------------.
|             |
|             |
|-------------|
|             |
|             |
'-------------'

split-window-right is bound to C-x 3 by default. split-window-below is bound to C-x 2 by default.

ErgoEmacs has a good guide on window management and navigation, including how to save a specific arrangement (e.g. a 4-way split) and load it automatically.

Answer 2

Use the split-window-xxx commands, as described in another answer. If you always want a grid of 4 windows, here's a command you could use:

(defun split-4-ways ()
  (interactive)
  (delete-other-windows)
  (split-window-right)
  (split-window-below)
  (windmove-right)
  (split-window-below)
  (windmove-left))