Checkboxes and dropdowns have different creation and editing support across mobile platforms. Check the rule and platform before rebuilding the cells.
Separate using a control from editing its rule
Google’s iPhone and iPad guides allow checking existing checkboxes and choosing existing dropdown options, while directing their creation or rule setup to a computer.
Android provides Data validation controls for dropdowns and checkboxes. Follow the Android guide instead of assuming the iOS menu or a desktop toolbar appears in the same place.
Check current limitations and values
Google’s current desktop dropdown guide states that mobile cannot select multiple dropdown options even when multiple selection is enabled. A single-selection result on a phone is therefore not necessarily a broken source list.
Inspect custom checkbox values and invalid-input behavior. A checked icon may correspond to custom text rather than the default TRUE value, and warning-only validation differs from rejection.
Test without overwriting the configuration
Use a safe sample row with the same rule. Check a valid choice, an unchecked state, and any unsupported multi-select requirement. Confirm the saved result on another authorized view.
Do not replace a functioning validated column with plain text solely because a mobile configuration control is absent. Keep desktop maintenance steps explicit when the workflow requires them, and verify synchronization before switching devices. Review permissions separately if all editing is blocked. A platform limit, a rule mismatch, and an access restriction can look similar on a small screen, but each calls for a different remedy and should not be solved by widening file access.
References
- Create an in-cell dropdown list
- Create an in-cell dropdown list
- Create an in-cell dropdown list
- Add & use checkboxes
- Add & use checkboxes
Reviewed against the linked official product guidance on November 3, 2026. Features, limits, screen labels, and access can vary by account, platform, region, and organization policy.