Provided is an image forming apparatus enabling more appropriate data deletion. The image forming apparatus includes an output setting circuit for performing output setting for adjusting an output of image data to a target output result by selection operation, an output operation circuit for performing output of image data by instruction operation so that a process corresponding to the output setting is performed, an association circuit for storing association information in which the output image data is associated with the output setting, a state determination circuit for determining whether or not the target output result can be obtained based on a current state of the apparatus, and a data deletion circuit for automatically deleting or selecting the deletion of the image data associated with the output setting based on the association information when it is determined that the target output result cannot be obtained.