Can we use Adaptive form Core components for creating AF using XDP templates (Form template option)

[SmrithiGo]

Hi,

Can we use AF core components to create AF using XDP templates. While creating AF using foundation components, I can see Form template option (to select XDP template) and then create AF where I can see the data source as well.

On using AF core template and creating the AF, I don't see Form template option to associate XDP template. Is this option removed from AF core components? Thank you.

[tripti_singh]

Hi @SmrithiGo 

is it for AEM as a Cloud Service or AEM 6.5 Forms ?

[SmrithiGo]

Hi @tripti_singh , it is for AEM 6.5 Forms

[Pranay_M · Accepted solution]

Hi @SmrithiGo,

You’re correct: with Adaptive Forms based on Core Components on AEM as a Cloud Service, you do not get the “Form template (XDP/XFA)” option you see in the Foundation‑based wizard.

Core Components support:

• Form Data Model (FDM)
• JSON/XDP DoR templates
• Other modern data sources

However, they do not support building an AF “on top of” an XDP template in the classic sense used by Foundation components. That XDP‑backed creation flow is effectively a Foundation feature and is not carried over to Core Components.

1. XDP-based templates are a Foundation feature, not available for Core Components

• With Adaptive Forms based on Foundation Components (AFv1), the “Form template” option in the create wizard lets you:
  • Select an XDP/XFA template, and
  • Create an Adaptive Form that directly uses that XDP template as its form model.
• With Adaptive Forms based on Core Components (AFv2), the creation flow is different:
  • You choose a Core Components template, theme, submit action, and optionally a Form Data Model (FDM).
  • There is no “Form template” picker and no option to associate an XDP template as the underlying form model.
• This is by design: Core Components are the recommended option for new forms, optimized for FDM/JSON-schema and headless, and they do not support the older “AF built on XDP template” pattern from Foundation components.

2. How XDP is used in the Core Components world

Although you cannot create a Core Components AF “from an XDP template” in the old sense, XDP is still supported in other ways:

• XDP as Document of Record (DoR) template:
  • You can design a DoR in XDP and map fields from a Core Components–based Adaptive Form so that the submitted data fills that XDP-based PDF.
  • In this setup, the XDP controls the output document, not the interactive AF layout itself.
• Data model for Core Components:
  • Core Components AFs are typically driven by:
    • Form Data Models (FDM) built on REST/SOAP/DB/etc., or
    • JSON/XSD schemas.
  • XDP is not used as the primary form model for AF Core Components.

To Summarise:

• Can we use AF core components to create AF using XDP templates?”
  → No, not in the same way as Foundation components. Core Components do not support creating an AF whose form model is an XDP template.

• “On using AF core template and creating the AF, I don't see Form template option to associate XDP template. Is this option removed from AF core components?”
  → Yes. For Core Components, the XDP form template selection is not available by design. The Core Components flow is FDM/JSON‑schema‑centric and separates layout from XDP. XDP is used for DoR, not as the AF’s structural template.

Thanks
Pranay

[SmrithiGo]

thanks @Pranay_M for the details response. Its really helpful.

[SmrithiGo]

Hi @Pranay_M , Could you please confirm, if the same applies for AEM 6.5 version as well.

I could see that you have mentioned that with Adaptive Forms based on Core Components on AEM as a Cloud Service, you do not get the “Form template (XDP/XFA)” option you see in the Foundation‑based wizard. Thanks.

[Pranay_M]

Hi @SmrithiGo,

Yes – the same functional limitation applies on AEM 6.5 when you use Adaptive Forms based on Core Components:

• On AEM 6.5 – Foundation Components

  • You still have the classic wizard option to create an Adaptive Form “based on a form template” (XDP/XFA).
  • That’s the traditional “XDP-based Adaptive Form” pattern.

• On AEM 6.5 – Core Components

  • You do not get the “Form template (XDP/XFA)” selection in the Core Components create wizard.
  • Core Components on 6.5 behave like they do on AEMaaCS in this regard: the flow is template + theme + submit action + (optional) Form Data Model, but no “XDP/XFA form template” choice.

This is explicitly called out in the 6.5 vs. Cloud comparison:

• Core Components are the modern, FDM/JSON-schema–driven model recommended for new forms.
• Foundation Components are the classic model that still supports XDP/XFA‑based Adaptive Forms.
  See “What are the differences between AEM 6.5 Forms and AEM Cloud Services?” which notes that some older constructs and flows remain Foundation‑only, while Core Components are the forward path for new forms What are the differences between AEM 6.5 Forms and AEM Cloud Services?.

So, in short:

• If you want to create an XDP-based Adaptive Form on 6.5, you must use Foundation Components.
• If you choose Core Components (on 6.5 or AEMaaCS), you cannot drive the form from an XDP/XFA template; XDP can still be used as a DoR template, but not as the AF’s underlying form template.

Thanks

Pranay