***
title: Loops for pagination
updated: 2025-10-03T00:00:00.000Z
topictype: procedure
slug: docs/postman-flows/build-flows/structure/loops/loops-pagination
max-toc-depth: 2
----------------
You can use Postman Flows to build a "while do" loop that's well-suited to pagination use cases.
The loops covered in the previous topics about [loops](/docs/postman-flows/build-flows/structure/loops/overview/) and [loops with external data](/docs/postman-flows/build-flows/structure/loops/loops-external-data/) all run through an entire list or for a specified number of iterations. Other than waiting for them to complete, you can't short circuit or break out of those loops.
This topic's pagination use case requires a different design pattern: one that enables you break out of a loop:
* Update a value within the loop, then use an **HTTP Request** block to send the value to and retrieve it from the Postman Echo API. This enables your flow to manipulate *state* across multiple iterations of the loop.
* Within the loop, use an **Evaluate** block to increment or otherwise changes the value and a **Condition** block to decide whether the loop should iterate or terminate based on the new value.
## Build a loop for pagination
Here's how the finished loop will look:
Before building the flow, create an HTTP GET request in a collection of your choice. Configure the request with the following URL:
```javascript
https://postman-echo.com/get?pageNumber={{value}}
```
Rename the request "Current page number".
Create a new flow.
### Construct the loop
In this section you'll add blocks to build a loop, including a **Condition** block to determine whether to continue iterating or stop.
1. Create an **HTTP Request** block, choose the "Current page number" HTTP request you created above. This renames the block as **Current page number**.
Make sure the **Start** block isn't connected to this or any other block.
2. Connect a **Number** block to the **value** input of the **Current page number** block. Leave its value at `0`.
3. Connect an **Evaluate** block to the **Current page number** block's **Success** output and rename it "Turn the page". Change `value1` to "pageBeforeTurning". In the inline **Select** block, enter the path `body.args.pageNumber`.
4. Paste the following expression into the TypeScript window:
```javascript
Number(pageBeforeTurning) + 1
```
5. Connect a **Delay** block to the `Result` output of the **Turn the page** block and set its value to 1500 milliseconds.
6. Connect a **Condition** block to the **Delay** block and rename it "Stop after page 5". Rename `value1` as `onPage` and paste the following expression into the **Condition 1** window:
```javascript
onPage > 5
```
This expression returns true when the page number exceeds 5. When that happens, the loop terminates. As long as the page number is less than or equal to 5, the loop keeps iterating.
7. Run the flow so that output values appear for each block. In the output of the **Stop after page 5** block, under **default**, click and drag `onPage` to create a **Select** block that outputs the page number value.
8. Connect the output of the new **Select** block to the `value` input of the **Current page number** block. Note that this connection loops back to the beginning, making the flow a true loop in form, not only in function.
### Add blocks to display status
The blocks you add in this section will enable you to follow the loop's action throughout its lifecycle.
1. Connect a **Template** block to the `Success` output of the **Current page number** block and rename it **Message when iterating**. Rename `key` as `onPage`. In the inline **Select** block, enter the path `body.args.pageNumber`. Paste the following expression into the text window:
```javascript
We are now on page {{onPage}}. Turning the page ...
```
2. Connect a **Display** block to the **Message when iterating** block. From 
**Additional Settings**, select **Text size > Large**.
3. Connect a **Template** block to the **Condition 1** output of the **Stop after page 5** block and rename it **Message when terminating**. Rename `key` as `lastPage`. In the inline **Select** block, click `Enter path...` and choose `onPage`.
4. Paste the following expression into the text window:
```javascript
Stopping! We got to page {{lastPage}}.
```
5. Connect the **Display** block you created earlier to the **Message when terminating** block.
Run the flow. You'll see each block activate in sequence until the loop goes beyond page 5 and terminates.