Why is the filtered checkbox not working when I click on each profession in Webflow? And why is the collection list I created in the multi-reference field not showing in the Collection List I created, requiring me to use options for the collection?

Your filtered checkbox isn’t working and the collection list from your multi-reference field isn’t displaying likely due to Webflow's limitations around filtering with multi-reference fields and how filtering interacts with static vs. dynamic content.

1. Filtered Checkbox Not Working

• Webflow’s native filtering via checkboxes (e.g., with custom code or third-party filters like Finsweet’s CMS Filter) won't function properly unless set up precisely.
• If you're using Webflow's built-in filtering, you can't filter a Collection List by values selected via checkboxes—Webflow doesn’t natively support checkbox-based filtering.
• If you’re using Finsweet’s CMS Filter, ensure:
• You’re applying the filter to Collection Lists rendered on the same page.
• The filter attributes (e.g., fs-cmsfilter-field) match the CMS field exactly.
• You’ve published the site to test; filtering won’t fully function in preview mode.
• Checkbox filters won’t function properly if you are trying to filter multi-reference fields directly in the CMS list; multi-reference requires special handling.

2. Collection List from a Multi-Reference Field Not Showing

• Collection Lists can only be bound to a multi-reference field when they're nested inside the Collection List of the parent item.
• You must:
• Add a Collection List inside another Collection List (e.g., Profession inside Team Members).
• In that nested list, connect it to the multi-reference field (e.g., connect a "Professions" list to the "Professions" field in the Team Member CMS item).
• If you are trying to place a Collection List independently on the page (outside of its parent dynamic context), Webflow won’t allow you to bind it to a multi-reference field.
• This is why you’re being forced to use a basic select "Option" or static workaround—Webflow doesn’t support querying relational multi-reference content outside of its parent collection item.

3. Workarounds or Alternatives

• If you need filtering across multi-references, consider:
• Duplicating important multi-reference values to plain text fields (e.g., copy “Professions” into a plain “Profession Labels” text field) for simplified filtering.
• Using Finsweet’s CMS Library for filtering, but ensuring the multi-reference field is processed as text/tags that can be filtered.
• For complex filters, you may need to use custom JavaScript, Webflow Logic (limited), or move your backend to platforms like Jetboost or Wized.

Summary

The checkbox filtering isn’t working because Webflow does not support checkbox filtering natively, especially not across multi-reference fields. Also, your Collection List won’t display multi-reference data unless it’s nested inside its parent collection. Consider using Finsweet’s CMS Filter with proper setup or transforming your data into simpler fields to gain more filter flexibility.