This function prints a link to the next set of posts within the current query.
If you need the values for use in PHP, use get_next_posts_link().
Because post queries are usually sorted in reverse chronological order, next_posts_link() usually points to older entries (toward the end of the set) and previous_posts_link() usually points to newer entries (toward the beginning of the set).
Parameter $max_pages is the limit the number of pages on which the link is displayed. The default value “0” means “no limit”.
This function will not work (fail silently) if mysql.trace_mode is enabled in your php.ini. If you can’t edit that file, try adding ini_set( 'mysql.trace_mode', 0 ); to your theme’s functions.php.
Add the $max_pages parameter to the next_posts_link() function when querying the loop with WP_Query. To get the total amount of pages you can use the ‘max_num_pages’ property of the custom WP_Query object.
// set the "paged" parameter (use 'page' if the query is on a static front page)
$paged = ( get_query_var( 'paged' ) ) ? get_query_var( 'paged' ) : 1;
// the query
$the_query = new WP_Query( array(
'cat' => 1,
'paged' => $paged
);
if ( $the_query->have_posts() ) :
// the loop
while ( $the_query->have_posts() ) : $the_query->the_post();
the_title();
endwhile;
// next_posts_link() usage with max_num_pages.
next_posts_link( __( 'Older Entries', 'textdomain' ), $the_query->max_num_pages );
previous_posts_link( __( 'Newer Entries', 'textdomain' ) );
// Clean up after the query and pagination.
wp_reset_postdata();
else:
?>
<p><?php _e( 'Sorry, no posts matched your criteria.', 'textdomain' ) ); ?></p>
<?php
endif;
This function next_posts_link() has a condition to run if is_single() is false.
This is good to know when creating custom queries and adding pagination using this function because where you place your custom query can change whether the pagination shows or not.
What’s interesting is that:
– is_single() doesn’t work on pages (or media)
– is_single() does work on CPTs and posts
So custom queries with this pagination placed on a single page will work fine, but add the same custom query + pagination to a single CPT or post, and it will not show.
Usage when querying the loop with WP_Query
Add the $max_pages parameter to the next_posts_link() function when querying the loop with WP_Query. To get the total amount of pages you can use the ‘max_num_pages’ property of the custom WP_Query object.
A warning when using with custom queries
This function
next_posts_link()has a condition to run ifis_single()is false.This is good to know when creating custom queries and adding pagination using this function because where you place your custom query can change whether the pagination shows or not.
What’s interesting is that:
–
is_single()doesn’t work on pages (or media)–
is_single()does work on CPTs and postsSo custom queries with this pagination placed on a single page will work fine, but add the same custom query + pagination to a single CPT or post, and it will not show.
Basic Example
Check if next link exists