Retrieving Form Submit Parameters in Adobe Experience Manager (AEM): A Step-by-Step Guide

Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) Forms is a powerful tool that allows businesses to build engaging, interactive forms. To process these forms effectively, it’s often necessary to retrieve the form submit parameters – the data filled out by users. This guide will walk you through how to get form submit parameters in AEM.

Key Takeaways

• Form submit parameters are the data entered by users in AEM Forms.
• Retrieving these parameters involves creating a servlet, writing Java code to extract the parameters, and linking the servlet to the form.
• Testing the setup ensures the parameters are being correctly retrieved.

Understanding Form Submit Parameters

When a user fills out an AEM form and clicks submit, the data they entered are sent as form submit parameters. These parameters can be anything from text fields to checkboxes, depending on the form’s design.

Setting up a Servlet

To retrieve form submit parameters, you need to create a servlet. A servlet is a Java program that extends the capabilities of servers that host applications accessed by means of a request-response model.

Steps to Set Up a Servlet

1. Create a new Java class in your AEM project.
2. Extend the class from the SlingAllMethodsServlet class.
3. Annotate the class using @SlingServlet annotation to define the paths or resource types it will respond to.

Writing the Code to Retrieve Parameters

Inside your servlet, you will need to write Java code to retrieve the form parameters. This generally involves using the request.getParameter() method.

Steps to Write the Code

1. Override the doPost method in your servlet.
2. Inside this method, use request.getParameter() to retrieve each form parameter. The parameter’s name should be the same as the name of the form field.

Linking the Servlet to the Form

Once your servlet is set up and the code is written, you need to link it to your form.

Steps to Link the Servlet

1. Open the form in the AEM authoring interface.
2. Navigate to the form’s submit action settings.
3. Input the path of your servlet.

Testing the Setup

After everything is set up, it’s important to test the setup to ensure the parameters are being correctly retrieved.

Steps to Test the Setup

1. Fill out the form on a publish instance and submit it.
2. Check your server logs. You should see the form parameters logged there if your servlet is correctly retrieving them.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

During this process, you might encounter a few common issues:

• Issue: Form parameters not appearing in logs: Ensure the names of the parameters in your request.getParameter() calls match the names of the form fields.
• Issue: Servlet not triggering after form submit: Check the path of the servlet in the form’s submit action settings.

Conclusion

Retrieving form submit parameters in Adobe Experience Manager is a crucial aspect of processing user data. By creating a servlet, writing the necessary Java code, and linking the servlet to your form, you can efficiently retrieve these parameters. Always remember to test your setup and troubleshoot any issues that arise. This will ensure that you’re accurately capturing the valuable information provided by your users.