How to Add Previous and Next Buttons with Efin Suite CMS Library in Webflow

Published on
November 11, 2020

How to Create Previous and Next Buttons for CMS Dynamic Templates in Webflow

Are you looking to add a user-friendly navigation system to your CMS dynamic templates in Webflow? If so, you've come to the right place. In this tutorial, we will walk you through the process of creating previous and next buttons for your CMS dynamic templates using the Efin Suite CMS library for Webflow.

Introduction to Efin Suite CMS Library for Webflow

The Efin Suite CMS library for Webflow is a powerful tool that allows you to enhance the functionality of your CMS dynamic templates. In this tutorial, we will specifically focus on using the library to add previous and next buttons to your CMS dynamic templates, allowing users to easily navigate between different content items.

Understanding the Content ID

The first key component we need to understand is the Content ID. The Content ID is crucial for establishing which template page we are currently on. By defining the Content ID, we can specify the base content item and determine the previous and next items in the sequence.

To set up the Content ID, follow these steps:

  1. Select the element that serves as the identifier for each item in the CMS collection.

  2. Add a class to this element, such as "post-number." This class will be used to bind the unique identifier of each content item within the CMS collection.

  3. Ensure that the Content ID class is applied both to the individual template content element and the collection list element on the template page.

By setting up the Content ID, we establish a reference point for the library to identify the current content item and determine the previous and next items based on this reference.

Utilizing the Previous and Next Targets

Once the Content ID is defined, we can proceed to incorporate the previous and next targets into our template design. These targets act as placeholders for the previous and next content items to be displayed.

To integrate the previous and next targets into your design, follow these steps:

  1. Create div elements on your template page and assign them the classes "post-prev-target" and "post-next-target" respectively.

  2. These classes serve as markers for the library to identify where the previous and next content items will be inserted.

  3. Ensure that the previous and next target elements are properly positioned within your template structure.

By incorporating the previous and next targets, we create designated spaces for the library to populate with the corresponding previous and next content items.

Styling the Previous and Next Content

When designing the previous and next content elements, it's important to consider the visual presentation and user experience. You have the flexibility to customize the appearance and layout of the previous and next content items according to your design preferences.

To style the previous and next content elements, you can:

  1. Designate the layout and styling of the previous and next content elements to align with your overall design aesthetic.

  2. To ensure a seamless user experience, you may consider adding interactive features, such as clickable links, to the previous and next content items.

By customizing the visual presentation of the previous and next content, you can enhance the overall navigation experience for users interacting with your CMS dynamic templates.

Implementing Load Images for Optimal Performance

In instances where your CMS dynamic templates contain a large number of images, optimizing the loading process becomes crucial for performance. The Efin Suite CMS library provides a feature called "img load" that allows you to efficiently load images for the previous and next content items while minimizing unnecessary image loading.

To implement load images for optimal performance, follow these steps:

  1. Define a class, such as "post-load-image," for the images associated with the previous and next content items.

  2. Set the display property of the "post-load-image" class to "none" to prevent the images from being loaded initially.

  3. Enable the "img load" feature to selectively load the images for the previous and next content items only when they are being displayed.

By implementing load images, you can significantly improve the loading performance of CMS dynamic templates containing a large volume of visual content.

Testing and Finalizing the Navigation System

Once you have set up the previous and next buttons and optimized the image loading, it's important to thoroughly test the navigation system to ensure seamless functionality across different content items within your CMS dynamic templates.

To validate the navigation system, follow these steps:

  1. Navigate through the CMS dynamic templates and verify that the previous and next buttons accurately display the corresponding content items.

  2. Ensure that the image loading optimization effectively manages the display of images for the previous and next content items.

  3. Test the responsiveness of the navigation system across various devices to confirm a consistent user experience.

By conducting comprehensive testing, you can finalize the navigation system and ensure that it delivers a user-friendly and efficient browsing experience for your audience.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we have explored the process of creating previous and next buttons for CMS dynamic templates in Webflow using the Efin Suite CMS library. By taking advantage of the library's features, such as Content ID, previous and next targets, and image loading optimization, you can enhance the navigation experience for users interacting with your CMS dynamic content.

With a deeper understanding of how to utilize the Efin Suite CMS library, you can elevate the functionality and user experience of your Webflow projects, providing an intuitive and engaging browsing experience for your audience. If you have any further questions or require assistance in implementing these features, feel free to reach out to the Efin Suite support team for expert guidance and support.

Happy designing and empowering your CMS dynamic templates with advanced navigation capabilities in Webflow!