Can we use Adaptive form Core components for creating AF using XDP templates (Form template option) | Community
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November 18, 2025
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Can we use Adaptive form Core components for creating AF using XDP templates (Form template option)

  • November 18, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 168 views

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.

Best answer by Pranay_M

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.
  1. 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

2 replies

Adobe Employee
November 18, 2025

Hi @smrithigo 

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

SmrithiGoAuthor
November 18, 2025

Hi @tripti_singh , it is for AEM 6.5 Forms

Pranay_MAdobe EmployeeAccepted solution
Adobe Employee
November 20, 2025

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.
  1. 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

SmrithiGoAuthor
November 20, 2025

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