How can one add items by duplicating the item type in an accordion

[Edardna]

Hello,

I would like to know if it's possible when working with an accordion to simply copy the previous item and component type. For some context I have multiple FAQ sections with numerous items in each accordion. For example. I need to have 20 items. Each item is a text component. I'm currently having to add each item one by one. This is very time consuming. Is this possible?

I've added an attachment of what I'm thinking. 

Thank you!

[SantoshSai]

Hi @Edardna,

Unfortunately, AEM does not provide a built-in “duplicate accordion item” feature inside multifields or component dialogs. Each item must be added manually through the dialog because Granite UI multifields don’t support copy/clone operations by default.

However, there are a few practical solutions depending on how your project is set up:

1. Use a Composite Multifield (Recommended)

If your accordion is using a composite multifield, authors can:

• Click the wrench icon on an item

• Select Copy

• Then Paste another item inside the same multifield

This only works if your component uses the modern composite multifield pattern:

<sling:resourceType="granite/ui/components/coral/foundation/form/multifield"
 composite="{Boolean}true"/>

If your accordion is still using the older multifield implementation, copy/paste is not available.

2. Enable Paste JSON in Multifield

You can add a small customization that adds:

• Copy JSON of the selected item

• Paste JSON to create a clone

This is done by adding a custom clientlib that listens for foundation-contentloaded and enhances the multifield.
It’s a common pattern used in many implementations.

3. Use CRXDE to Duplicate Nodes (Fastest for Authors)

If authors are comfortable with CRXDE or the Content Tree:

1. Navigate to the accordion component node

2. Expand items

3. Right-click any item -> Copy

4. Right-click parent items -> Paste

5. Rename the item if needed

6. Refresh the page editor

This instantly duplicates the entire structure including fields.

4. Add a Custom “Duplicate Item” Button (Custom Development)

If you want the exact button you showed in your mock-up, developers can add:

• a custom Coral action button inside each multifield item

• a JS handler that clones that item’s HTML, updates IDs, and inserts it as a new entry

• A Sling model that persists it into the JCR

This is fully achievable but requires custom UI development.

What is NOT possible

• AEM does not allow right-click duplicate or auto-replication of authoring dialogs out-of-the-box.

• Core Components accordion does not include item duplication.

[ManviSharma]

Hello @Edardna ,

Currently, AEM’s Accordion component does not support duplicating an accordion item together with its inner components out-of-the-box. The “Copy” option only duplicates the item entry, not the text component inside it.

A simple approach to speed this up is:

Create one accordion item → add your text component inside it → copy/paste the text component directly in Edit mode.

This lets you duplicate the inner content quickly without re-adding components each time.

[VishalKa5]

Hi @Edardna ,

AEM does not have a built-in 'duplicate accordion item' button. You must manually add each item in the dialog. If you want duplication, your developer needs to enable multi-field with composite fields, or add a custom “duplicate” action in the component dialog using Granite UI. Only then you can copy/reuse items easily.
AEM’s default accordion component does not support duplicating items. You must add each item manually unless the component is customized by developers to support a multi-field or a custom duplication feature.

[muskaanchandwani]

Hello @Edardna 

Based on what you described (multiple FAQ sections, 20 text items each, time‑consuming to add one by one), here’s a pragmatic path:

1. Short‑term (no development needed)
> Use the editor’s copy/paste:
> Build the first accordion section fully (20 items).
> Copy that entire Accordion component to create other FAQ sections.
> If your project exposes panel containers in the content tree, copy/paste a panel there when you need more items.

For very repetitive FAQs across multiple pages, consider:
> Creating one “master FAQ page” and copying the whole Accordion from there.

2. Medium‑term (small development effort)
> Add an FAQ‑specific template with a preconfigured Accordion and N items.
> Or introduce a simple Experience Fragment pattern for “FAQ block” so you just drop/duplicate that.

3. Long‑term (if FAQs are a central content type)
Move FAQs into Content Fragments and create an FAQ rendering that:
> Reads a list of FAQ fragments.
> Renders each as an Accordion item automatically.

This gives you:
Centralized FAQ management.
Easy reuse across many pages.
No need to manually create 20 items per page.