Create a Front-End Form with ACF

Use acf_form() to build front-end forms for submitting or editing posts with ACF fields.

First, call acf_form_head() before any HTML output — typically in your template before get_header():

<?php
// At the very top of your page template (before get_header).
acf_form_head();
get_header();
?>

Create a form to submit a new post:

<?php
acf_form( [
    'post_id'       => 'new_post',
    'new_post'      => [
        'post_type'   => 'event',
        'post_status' => 'draft',
    ],
    'field_groups'   => [ 'group_event_details' ],
    'submit_value'   => 'Submit Event',
    'updated_message' => 'Event submitted successfully!',
    'return'         => home_url( '/thank-you/' ),
] );
?>

Create a form to edit an existing post:

<?php
acf_form( [
    'post_id'       => get_the_ID(),
    'field_groups'   => [ 'group_event_details' ],
    'submit_value'   => 'Update Event',
    'updated_message' => 'Event updated.',
] );
?>

Display only specific fields instead of a full field group:

<?php
acf_form( [
    'post_id' => get_the_ID(),
    'fields'  => [ 'event_name', 'event_date', 'location' ],
    'submit_value' => 'Save Changes',
] );
?>

Edit the current user’s profile fields:

<?php
if ( is_user_logged_in() ) {
    acf_form( [
        'post_id'     => 'user_' . get_current_user_id(),
        'field_groups' => [ 'group_user_profile' ],
        'submit_value' => 'Update Profile',
    ] );
}
?>

Note: acf_form() is an ACF PRO feature. The form includes CSRF protection via nonces automatically. Users must be logged in to submit forms unless you customise the permission handling.