# CodeIgniter User Guide Version 1.7.3

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# Pagination Class

CodeIgniter's Pagination class is very easy to use, and it is 100% customizable, either dynamically or via stored preferences.

If you are not familiar with the term "pagination", it refers to links that allows you to navigate from page to page, like this:

`« First < 1 2 3 4 5 > Last »`

## Example

Here is a simple example showing how to create pagination in one of your controller functions:

`$this->load->library('pagination');
$config['base_url'] = 'http://example.com/index.php/test/page/';
$config['total_rows'] = '200';
$config['per_page'] = '20';
$this->pagination->initialize($config);
echo $this->pagination->create_links();`

### Notes:

The $config array contains your configuration variables. It is passed to the $this->pagination->initialize function as shown above. Although there are some twenty items you can configure, at minimum you need the three shown. Here is a description of what those items represent:

- base_url This is the full URL to the controller class/function containing your pagination. In the example above, it is pointing to a controller called "Test" and a function called "page". Keep in mind that you can re-route your URI if you need a different structure.
- total_rows This number represents the total rows in the result set you are creating pagination for. Typically this number will be the total rows that your database query returned.
- per_page The number of items you intend to show per page. In the above example, you would be showing 20 items per page.

The create_links() function returns an empty string when there is no pagination to show.

### Setting preferences in a config file

If you prefer not to set preferences using the above method, you can instead put them into a config file. Simply create a new file called pagination.php, add the $config array in that file. Then save the file in: config/pagination.php and it will be used automatically. You will NOT need to use the $this->pagination->initialize function if you save your preferences in a config file.

## Customizing the Pagination

The following is a list of all the preferences you can pass to the initialization function to tailor the display.

#### $config['uri_segment'] = 3;

The pagination function automatically determines which segment of your URI contains the page number. If you need something different you can specify it.

#### $config['num_links'] = 2;

The number of "digit" links you would like before and after the selected page number. For example, the number 2 will place two digits on either side, as in the example links at the very top of this page.

#### $config['page_query_string'] = TRUE

By default, the pagination library assume you are using URI Segments, and constructs your links something like

`http://example.com/index.php/test/page/20`

If you have $config['enable_query_strings'] set to TRUE your links will automatically be re-written using Query Strings. This option can also be explictly set. Using $config['page_query_string'] set to TRUE, the pagination link will become.

`http://example.com/index.php?c=test&m=page&per_page=20`

Note that "per_page" is the default query string passed, however can be configured using $config['query_string_segment'] = 'your_string'

## Adding Enclosing Markup

If you would like to surround the entire pagination with some markup you can do it with these two prefs:

#### $config['full_tag_open'] = '<p>';

The opening tag placed on the left side of the entire result.

#### $config['full_tag_close'] = '</p>';

The closing tag placed on the right side of the entire result.

## Customizing the First Link

#### $config['first_link'] = 'First';

The text you would like shown in the "first" link on the left.

#### $config['first_tag_open'] = '<div>';

The opening tag for the "first" link.

#### $config['first_tag_close'] = '</div>';

The closing tag for the "first" link.

## Customizing the Last Link

#### $config['last_link'] = 'Last';

The text you would like shown in the "last" link on the right.

#### $config['last_tag_open'] = '<div>';

The opening tag for the "last" link.

#### $config['last_tag_close'] = '</div>';

The closing tag for the "last" link.

## Customizing the "Next" Link

#### $config['next_link'] = '&gt;';

The text you would like shown in the "next" page link.

#### $config['next_tag_open'] = '<div>';

The opening tag for the "next" link.

#### $config['next_tag_close'] = '</div>';

The closing tag for the "next" link.

## Customizing the "Previous" Link

#### $config['prev_link'] = '&lt;';

The text you would like shown in the "previous" page link.

#### $config['prev_tag_open'] = '<div>';

The opening tag for the "previous" link.

#### $config['prev_tag_close'] = '</div>';

The closing tag for the "previous" link.

## Customizing the "Current Page" Link

#### $config['cur_tag_open'] = '<b>';

The opening tag for the "current" link.

#### $config['cur_tag_close'] = '</b>';

The closing tag for the "current" link.

## Customizing the "Digit" Link

#### $config['num_tag_open'] = '<div>';

The opening tag for the "digit" link.

#### $config['num_tag_close'] = '</div>';

The closing tag for the "digit" link.