Auto-detect field groups
Core Forms reads the ACF field groups attached to the chosen post type and shows them in a collapsible reference panel.
WordPress content
Advanced Custom Fields in Core Forms
Map form fields to ACF fields with full update_field() support — text, repeaters, relationships.
Bundled with Core Forms — the WordPress forms plugin with every premium feature in the box. No add-on tax.
If your WordPress site is built on ACF, Core Forms talks to it natively. The Create Post action picks up your existing ACF field groups for the target post type, lets you map form fields to ACF field names, and writes them through the official `update_field()` API — so repeaters, relationships, image fields, taxonomy fields and flexible content all serialize correctly.
No custom PHP, no `update_post_meta()` hacks that break the moment ACF changes its storage format. Just `form_field=acf_field_name` per line.
What you get
How Advanced Custom Fields works in Core Forms
Uses update_field() everywhere
No raw post-meta writes. Repeaters, relationships, gallery, image, file — all stored the way ACF expects.
Field-name mapping
One simple syntax: form_field=acf_field_name, one mapping per line. Supports both ACF field names and field keys.
Works alongside taxonomy + meta mapping
Use ACF for the rich fields, the regular meta map for stray custom keys, and taxonomy mapping for terms — all on the same form.
Set it up
Connect Advanced Custom Fields in 3 minutes
- 1
Install ACF (free or Pro)
Either edition works. The plugin is detected automatically the moment update_field() exists.
- 2
Add the Create Post action
On your form, Actions → Add action → Create Post. Pick your post type.
- 3
Open the ACF mapping field
A reference panel lists every ACF field on that post type. Map them with `form_field=acf_field_name`.
- 4
Submit and verify
Submit a test entry; the new post is created with every ACF field populated through update_field().
ACF mapping syntax
# In the form's "ACF field mapping" textarea:
name=client_full_name
email=client_email
rating=review_score
photos=photo_gallery
tags=related_topicsPairs well with
Related integrations
Secure Custom Fields
Same field-mapping story as ACF — works with the WordPress.org SCF fork via the same update_field() API.
Create Post / CPT
Turn form submissions into WordPress posts or any custom post type — with featured images, taxonomies and ACF.
Create WordPress User
Register WordPress users from form submissions with role assignment and custom user-meta mapping.
Bundled with every Core Forms license.
Advanced Custom Fields — and every other integration on this site — is included with your
license. Use code CFLAUNCH for 20% off either plan.