Workflow Conditional Logic: Add Contains Operator for Multiple Choice Elements

I'm trying to distinguish workflow paths based on checkbox selections. However, in the conditional there is no "contains" operand to use to check if one-of-many checkboxes are selected. Only an "is equal to" which is pointless for a multi-selection checkbox if you're only going to allow it to compare with a single selected value (the output of a checkbox component is a list of selections).

So, what's the workaround? I think this is functionality that should be supported in workflows. I would rather not redo my checkboxes to be individual single choice selections as there is a bunch of form conditional logic already in place for the checkboxes.

Hi Dylan,

Thanks for reaching out to Jotform Support. Currently, the Contains operator is not available for Multiple Choice field when using Conditions in Workflows and Form Builder. While the feature you're looking for isn't available at Jotform right now, we've gone ahead and escalated your request to our developers. Exactly when or if it's developed depends on their workload, how viable it is, and how many other users also request it. If there are any updates, we’ll circle back to this thread and let you know.

To work around this, we recommend using the Checklist widget over the Multiple Choice element. Let me show you how to add and set up a Checklist Widget:

1. In Form Builder, click on the Add Element menu on the left side of the page.

2. Under the Widgets tab, drag and drop the Checklist widget into your form or just click on it to add.

3. In the menu that opens on the right, under the Checklist Items section, enter each option on a separate line.

4. Label the Checklist widget the way you want it.

In Workflow Builder, you can now use the Contains operator with the Checklist widget:

Reach out again if you have any other questions.

Ok, great. I've replaced the checkbox list with the checklist widget. However, now when I am using conditional logic in the Form (not workflow) my sections are not appearing (show/hide) as I expect them to when using the "contains" operand.

I was able to fix both issues with the "Fancy Checkboxes" widget.

You’ve pinpointed a real limitation—having only an “is equal to” operator for multi-selection checkboxes makes the logic unnecessarily rigid. The usual workaround I’ve seen is to use calculated fields or hidden helper fields that translate selections into a more manageable format, but that can get messy fast if you already have complex conditions in place. Custom solutions for your business needs become important in these scenarios, because off-the-shelf features rarely cover 100% of unique workflows. That’s exactly why some teams bring in to create tailored logic handlers that integrate smoothly with existing systems. Until the platform supports a proper “contains” operator, layering helper fields or scripts is probably the most reliable method without having to rebuild all your checkboxes.