Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including a communication section connected to a data processing apparatus through a communication line to perform image formation on the basis of data transmitted from the data processing apparatus through the communication section, the apparatus including: a plurality of storage sections each of which has a different free storage capacity and a different access speed; and a control section to obtain data size information of an XPS file from the XPS file including the data size information thereof in a head of a file data frame, the XPS file being received from the data processing apparatus through the communication section, to select a storage section to store the XPS file from the plurality of storage sections on the basis of the data size information, and to allow the selected storage section to store the XPS file.