Organize Large Forms with Laravel Form Objects

Many Laravel controllers start small.

public function store(StoreUserRequest $request)
{
    User::create($request->validated());
}

As new requirements arrive, more responsibilities are added:

• Upload avatar
• Resize image
• Send email
• Assign role
• Create profile
• Log activity

Soon your controller looks like this:

public function store(...)
{
    ...
    ...
    ...
}

Hundreds of lines long.

The Better Approach

Create a dedicated Form Object.

class RegisterUserForm
{
    public function store(array $data): User{
        // Upload files// Create user// Assign role// Send emailreturn $user;
    }
}

Use It Inside the Controller

public function store(
    StoreUserRequest $request,
    RegisterUserForm $form
) {
    $user = $form->store(
        $request->validated()
    );
    return redirect()->route('users.index');
}

Why Use Form Objects?

They help you:

• Keep controllers thin
• Group related form logic
• Reuse complex workflows
• Improve testing
• Separate HTTP handling from business logic

When to Use Form Objects

Consider using them when a form involves:

• File uploads
• Multiple models
• Business rules
• External APIs
• Notifications
• Database transactions