Multipage

Multipage refers to a design or document structure in which content is divided across multiple pages rather than presented on a single continuous page. It is commonly used in printed materials, web pages, and software interfaces. In web and application design, pagination splits lists or articles into separate pages, typically with navigation controls such as previous, next, and numbered page links. In forms, a multipage layout divides input fields into several screens or steps, often with progress indicators and validation between steps.

Implementation choices include server-side pagination where the server delivers one page of results per request, client-side pagination where all data is loaded and the browser renders pages in JavaScript, and hybrid approaches. Infinite scroll is related but not strictly paginated; "load more" interactions can approximate multipage behavior without traditional page links.

Advantages include improved readability, reduced initial load times, easier navigation on mobile, and better organization of long content. Disadvantages include extra navigation steps, potential SEO and usability challenges, and reliance on consistent back-button behavior. Accessibility considerations require clear page titles, link text, and accessible navigation landmarks, with a focus on keyboard operability.

Common uses include search results pages, catalog listings, long articles with references, and multi-step forms such as checkout processes. Related concepts are pagination, infinite scrolling, and multi-page documents in publishing. In software design, multipage flows are often modeled with a wizard pattern or a stepper interface.