Question

I am having trouble with the previous_post_link() and next_post_link() functionality. When there is no previous post, the function previous_post_link() does not display a link, likewise for the next_post_link() and the last post. I would like to have a placeholder image so that the design stays consistent.

Currently I have images of green arrows pointing left and right, I would like to place an image of a grey arrow if there are no more posts to go back to.

Is there a way to use the next_post_link()/previous_post_link() functions but not have the link removed.

I also wonder if there is a way for the links to cycle, so that if you come to the most recent post, the next post link would bring you back to the first post.

************ UPDATED ************

Here is the code, based on “silent’s” advice (accepted answer) to use get_adjacent_post():

<?php 
    if(get_adjacent_post(false, '', true)) { 
        previous_post_link('%link','<img src="larr.gif"/>'); 
    }
    else { 
        echo '<img src="larr2.gif"/>'; 
    }; 

    if(get_adjacent_post(false, '', false)) { 
        next_post_link('%link','<img src="rarr.gif"/>'); 
    }
    else { 
        echo '<img src="rarr2.gif">'; 
    }; 
?>

Answer 1

I never try this myself. However, you may refer to this post. It uses get_adjacent_post().