Can I use single `force:recordData` for both Add & Update record?

Question

I have a requirement where I need to insert and update a contact. Now, I am using force:recordData.

<force:recordData aura:id="ldsContact"
     recordId="{!v.selectedUserId}"
     layoutType="FULL"
     mode="EDIT"
     targetRecord="{!v.record}"
     targetFields="{!v.imContact}"
     targetError="{!v.recordError}" />

When I try to edit a record, it is working fine, but when I try adding, it gives following error:

We couldn't find the record you're trying to access. It may have been deleted by another user, or there may have been a system error. Ask your administrator for help.

I understand, that the above error is most likely due to the recordId attribute and as per the documentation

To create an empty record from a record template, you can’t set a recordId on the force:recordData tag. Without a recordId, Lightning Data Service doesn’t load an existing record.

So, my concern is, I don't want to repeat myself just because of the above issue and use another force:recordData just for adding a new record, as there is a huge work associated with the one I am already using. Any way I could use one force:recordData for both Insert & Update?

Answer 1

I suggest to add another force:recordData without the id, and use the same attributes inside both of the components:

<force:recordData aura:id="ldsContactEdit"
     recordId="{!v.selectedUserId}"
     layoutType="FULL"
     mode="EDIT"
     targetRecord="{!v.record}"
     targetFields="{!v.imContact}"
     targetError="{!v.recordError}" />

<force:recordData aura:id="ldsContactAdd"
     layoutType="FULL"
     mode="EDIT"
     targetRecord="{!v.record}"
     targetFields="{!v.imContact}"
     targetError="{!v.recordError}" />      

This way you do not need to add more work, just use your current one, and you can choose in your javascript controller if to use ldsContactAdd to add a record, or ldsContactEdit to edit one.