AEM Forms Training

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Forms and Data Integrations (Form Data Models) Training

Enterprise Data Integration Training

AEM Adaptive Forms become truly powerful when they are connected to real data and backend systems, and Form Data Models (FDM) provide the foundation for this integration. This section focuses on how to connect Adaptive Forms to databases, web services, and APIs using AEM’s data integration framework. Students learn how datasources, services, and data models work together to enable real-time data retrieval, updates, and submission, using modern JSON-based data structures and service-driven architecture to support scalable, enterprise-grade solutions.

Diagram showing the AEM Forms Database integration including database, JDBC driver, datasource, and form data model

This training section guides students through the complete data integration lifecycle—from configuring datasources and building Form Data Models, to creating forms that interact with live data and implementing advanced patterns such as relational associations, dynamic tables, and CRUD-based workflows. In addition, students learn how to package and migrate data integration assets across environments, ensuring reliable deployment in real-world systems. The overall goal is to equip developers with the skills needed to build data-driven applications using Adaptive Forms that seamlessly integrate with enterprise systems and business processes.

This training section includes the following courses:

Course Outline

Introduction

This course introduces Form Data Models (FDM) as the foundation for integrating AEM Adaptive Forms with backend data sources and services. Students learn how FDMs define both the structure of form data and the services used to retrieve, populate, and persist that data, enabling real-time interaction between forms and enterprise systems. The course also clarifies how FDM-based forms differ from other form models, emphasizing JSON-based data handling and service-driven architecture as key advantages for modern data integration scenarios.

Students then gain hands-on experience working with out-of-the-box Form Data Models, including testing services within the Form Data Model Editor and building adaptive forms that consume these services. The course demonstrates how to validate service behavior independently from the form, troubleshoot integration issues, and dynamically populate form elements such as drop-down lists using live data. By the end of the course, participants will have a clear understanding of how to use Form Data Models to connect Adaptive Forms to real data sources and build responsive, data-driven form experiences.

Screenshot showing the AEM Forms tools including the Data Integrations tool featured in this section.

Administration

This course introduces the administrative foundation required to support data integration in AEM Adaptive Forms, focusing on database connectivity, JDBC configuration, and OSGi-based system architecture. Students learn how AEM connects to backend databases using JDBC drivers and how datasources are configured and managed within the Web Console. The course also provides an overview of different database types—including single-table and relational database structures—and how these data sources serve as the foundation for building Form Data Models.

Students then explore the AEM technical architecture in more detail, including how OSGi bundles are used to extend platform functionality and how administrators install and configure database drivers and connection pools. The course covers practical administrative tasks such as managing bundles, configuring datasources, and troubleshooting issues like datasource binding failures after system migrations. By the end of the course, participants will understand how to prepare and maintain the backend environment required for reliable, scalable data integration in AEM Forms.

Datasources

This course focuses on creating and configuring datasources in AEM, enabling Adaptive Forms to connect to external systems such as web services and APIs. Students learn how AEM Cloud Services support data integration and how datasources serve as the entry point for connecting Form Data Models to backend services. The course introduces both SOAP and REST-based integrations, highlighting how form data can be retrieved from and sent to systems beyond traditional databases.

Screenshot showing the AEM Cloud services including reCAPTCHA, Automated Forms Conversion Configuration, Adobe Sign, and Data Sources

Students then gain hands-on experience creating datasources for SOAP and REST services, including working with XML and JSON data formats and using Swagger definitions to describe REST endpoints. The course emphasizes practical considerations such as performance, scalability, and choosing the appropriate integration approach for different use cases. By the end of the course, participants will be able to configure datasources that provide reliable, real-time data access for use in Form Data Models and Adaptive Forms.

Form Data Models (AEM Forms)

This course teaches how to design and build Form Data Models (FDM), the central integration layer that connects AEM Adaptive Forms to backend datasources and services. Students learn how Form Data Models unify data structures and service operations, enabling forms to retrieve, manipulate, and submit data through a single, consistent interface. The course demonstrates how FDMs are created from datasources and how they serve as the foundation for building data-driven, service-enabled Adaptive Forms.

Screenshot showing the Select Datasource screen in the Create Form Data Model Wizard

Students then gain hands-on experience using the Form Data Model Editor to construct and manage models, including adding database tables, configuring service operations, and defining relationships between data elements. The course emphasizes working with JSON as the primary data format and shows how to test and validate services directly within the editor. Through practical exercises, participants build multiple Form Data Models for different integration scenarios, preparing them to support real-world applications that require seamless interaction between forms and enterprise systems.

Forms based on Models (Adaptive Forms)

This course teaches how to build fully functional AEM Adaptive Forms that are driven by Form Data Models, enabling real-time interaction with backend data and services. Students learn how to create forms that bind directly to data models, using the Data Sources panel to generate fields and establish automatic data bindings. The course demonstrates how form structure, data types, and behavior are governed by the underlying Form Data Model, allowing developers to build dynamic, data-driven user interfaces with minimal manual configuration.

Students then gain hands-on experience implementing real-world form functionality, including retrieving data through service calls, displaying data in components such as tables, and submitting form data back to backend systems using Form Data Model services. The course also covers event-driven scripting techniques to manage data updates and user interactions. By the end of the course, participants will be able to build complete, end-to-end form solutions that connect to enterprise systems, display live data, and persist user input through integrated services.

Dynamic Table

This course provides a hands-on workshop for building fully interactive, data-driven Adaptive Forms that directly integrate with relational database tables. Students create a Form Data Model that supports standard database operations and then build an Adaptive Form that displays and manages records using a dynamic table component. The course demonstrates how form users can view, insert, and update records in real time, establishing a direct connection between the user interface and backend data.

Students then implement advanced functionality using a combination of Form Data Model services and custom JavaScript to control user interactions and differentiate between create and update operations. The course emphasizes practical techniques for managing dynamic data, including conditional UI behavior and real-time data synchronization with the database. By the end of the course, participants will be able to build complete CRUD-style form solutions that interact directly with enterprise data systems, representing one of the most advanced and realistic use cases in AEM Forms development.

Associations

This course teaches how to model and manage relationships between data entities in AEM Form Data Models using associations. Students learn how relational database concepts—such as one-to-many and one-to-one relationships—are represented within Form Data Models, enabling more accurate and efficient handling of complex data structures. The course demonstrates how associations connect related tables and how these relationships can be used to eliminate redundancy and support more sophisticated data-driven form solutions.

Screenshot showing the Form Data Model Editor with Associations.

Students then gain hands-on experience creating and configuring associations, as well as integrating relational data into Adaptive Forms using database views and custom services. The course covers how to retrieve combined data from multiple tables, such as linking users, clients, and reports, and how to expose this data through Form Data Model services. By the end of the course, participants will be able to design and implement relational data models that support complex enterprise scenarios and deliver more powerful, context-aware form experiences.

Packaging and Migration

This course teaches how to package and migrate Form Data Models and datasources across AEM environments, enabling developers to move data integration solutions from development to testing and production systems. Students learn how to use AEM Package Manager to export and import repository content, including Form Data Models, configurations, and related assets. The course emphasizes the importance of understanding where AEM Forms content is stored in the repository and how to correctly include all required paths when building packages.

Students then gain hands-on experience migrating Form Data Models and updating datasources in target environments, including handling differences in database connections and configurations. The course also introduces best practices for managing datasource dependencies, such as using consistent naming conventions and optionally packaging OSGi configurations to simplify deployment. By the end of the course, participants will be able to reliably move data integration solutions between environments while maintaining functionality and minimizing configuration issues.

These courses are part of our complete AEM Forms eLearning platform, designed for developers, administrators, and architects building modern enterprise form solutions. Visit aemforms.training to access our full library of hands-on AEM Forms courses and accelerate your expertise with real-world training.