# Data Read Previous

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**Block Information**

Available in: Page Flow and Cloud Flow

Toolbox Category: Data - Read

Block Type: [Regular](/app-editor/page-flow/block-anatomy.md#regular-block)
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**`Data Read Previous`** is a [regular block](/app-editor/page-flow/block-anatomy.md#regular-block) that initiates reading of the previous page of [records](/app-editor/data/database-tables.md#table-records) from a [database table](/app-editor/data/database-tables.md).

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/4KsUWFFHbKWLyMwgo4cP" alt="" width="254"><figcaption><p>Data Read Previous block</p></figcaption></figure></div>

The block consists of the following (from top to bottom):

* *Table:* [Value Parameter](/app-editor/page-flow/block-anatomy.md#value-parameters) that accepts a [*text*](/app-editor/page-flow/references/value-types.md) value representing the name of the [Database Table](/app-editor/data/database-tables.md) .
* *Dataset Name:* [Value Parameter](/app-editor/page-flow/block-anatomy.md#value-parameters) that accepts a [*text*](/app-editor/page-flow/references/value-types.md) value representing the name of the dataset.

{% hint style="success" %}
**NOTE**:&#x20;

* This block only functions if a previous database read, using a [Data Read](/app-editor/page-flow/toolbox-blocks/data-read.md) or a [Data Read Next](/app-editor/page-flow/toolbox-blocks/data-read-next.md) block, for the same table and dataset, was initiated and completed.
* The same database *Query* with input parameters and *Per Page* values that were provided with the [Data Read](/app-editor/page-flow/toolbox-blocks/data-read.md) block will be used here.
* This block initiates the database read, which will occur in the background. To track the status and to take an action upon completion of the read, use the [Data Status](/app-editor/page-flow/toolbox-blocks/data-status.md) block.&#x20;
* To access the records after a successful read, see [Data Record Count](/app-editor/page-flow/toolbox-blocks/data-record-count.md), [Data Record Loop](/app-editor/page-flow/toolbox-blocks/data-record-loop.md), [Data Record at Index](/app-editor/page-flow/toolbox-blocks/data-record-at-index.md) blocks.
  {% endhint %}

***

## Usage Example

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**NOTE: Please refer to the prerequisite information shown** [**here**](/app-editor/page-flow/references/prerequisite-for-data-examples.md) **before seeing the example.**&#x20;
{% endhint %}

The image below shows an example of the **`Data Read Previous`** block.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/iOKUN62iMRmUlMoLO95O" alt="" width="519"><figcaption><p>Data Read Previous example</p></figcaption></figure></div>

Here is a summary of the above example:

* The [Mouse/Keyboard Action](/app-editor/page-flow/toolbox-blocks/mouse-keyboard-action.md) block is used to handle a button click.
* When the button is clicked, the **`Data Read Previous`** block is used to initiate a read for the next page.
* The [Data Status](/app-editor/page-flow/toolbox-blocks/data-status.md) block is used to track the status of the read and upon success,  the *do something* function is invoked.


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