Laravel previous and next records
Stefan Izdrail
Founder & Senior Architect · 2026-06-29
Title: Efficiently Navigating Database Records using Laravel: Previous and Next Record Pagination
The process of displaying and managing data is an essential aspect of most web applications, particularly those that store user information or work with large amounts of data. Having navigation controls such as "next" and "previous" buttons can significantly enhance the user experience by providing easy access to related records in a logical order. In Laravel, there are several ways to implement this feature, and we will explore two approaches below.
1. Using Query Builder: The first approach involves using the Eloquent ORM and Query Builder of Laravel. This is the recommended method as it ensures data consistency with Eloquent relations, and it allows you to easily update or delete multiple related records at once. Here's how to implement this approach:
a. Routes and Controllers:
In your route file, add the following code snippet for routing all requests to the UserController:
```php
Route::get('users/{id}', 'UserController@show');
```
Update the show method in the UserController to find and fetch the current user using their ID:
```php
public function show($id)
{
$user = User::find($id);
return View::make('hello')->with('user', $user);
}
```
b. Adding Pagination to your Views:
To create the "next" and "previous" buttons, you will need a way to retrieve the IDs of adjacent users. This can be done by querying the database using the `where()` method along with the comparison operator `'>'`. Here's an example for finding the next user ID:
```php
$input = User::where('id', '>', $user->id)->firstOrFail();
```
This will find the first user whose ID is larger than the current one and load their profile. You can replace ">" with "<" to retrieve previous users.
2. Using View Blade Pagination: If you prefer a simpler approach, you may use `@prev` and `@next` directives in your view templates for displaying links to adjacent records. For this method, you won't need to modify the controller or the route. Here's how it can be implemented in your View template:
```html
Previous {{-- This will go back one user --}}
@prev
Next {{-- This will get the next ID and redirect to that profile --}}
```
In this method, you'll have to handle the pagination logic in your controller to fetch subsequent records. However, it results in a cleaner view template while maintaining the desired navigation experience for users.
Conclusion: Both methods provide viable solutions for enabling users to navigate through database records using next and previous buttons. The Query Builder approach is the recommended choice if you want full control over data consistency with your Eloquent relationships, but the View Blade pagination method simplifies the implementation by leaving the query logic in your controller. Ultimately, the best approach will depend on your project's needs and requirements while ensuring an optimal user experience.