CodeSnip: How to Add Data/Values for Corresponding Entries in a Combo Box Using Visual Basic .NET
page 1 of 6
Published: 06 Nov 2006
Abstract
While using Visual Basic .NET many developers have experienced a drawback in maintaining data or value for corresponding entries in a combo box. In this article Sandeep provides a solution for the issue with the help of code samples.
by Sandeep Acharya
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Introduction

Most of the .NET developers used to experience a common problem while working with combo boxes. Generally, in a combo box or dropdown we used to store a value-text pair.  For example, suppose we have an employee Table in a Database where we have a unique Employee ID for each employee.  It is obvious that we will want to access the records by referring to the Employee ID's.

Now, assume a scenario where we need to display the list of employees in a Dropdown or combo box.  Displaying the list is not a big deal, but there is a twist in keeping the ID's against corresponding Employee Names in the Dropdown.  There is no direct method available in .NET to achieve this functionality.

Below is a code snippet that successfully implements the functionality in a twisted manner.  


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User Comments

Title: Combo Box value pair   
Name: Albert
Date: 2010-08-10 4:17:21 PM
Comment:
OK,
But now you like to take the values out of a CVS file. What are the changes to listing 2
Title: mr   
Name: praveen
Date: 2009-12-17 8:04:51 AM
Comment:
i dnt know how to add item in the combobox,even i dont no coding
Title: Combo Box   
Name: Khadar
Date: 2009-03-31 4:04:07 PM
Comment:
Hello I am a new C# user and i wanted to know how to add item in the combo Box. Please anybody help
Title: Mr   
Name: WillC
Date: 2009-02-03 10:59:44 AM
Comment:
This is the simplest solution to this I can find. And it works. Thank you.
Title: Excellent Sandeep   
Name: Rahul Gupta
Date: 2008-01-09 7:16:47 AM
Comment:
Done good work,
it really solved the problem,
but mention it because of override of toString function

Thanking you
Rahul Gupta
Software Developer
www.maestros.net
Title: anal programmer   
Name: paris hilton
Date: 2007-06-02 8:12:40 AM
Comment:
TOPS!!great article.Thank you.
Title: Web Application Developer   
Name: Liby George
Date: 2007-05-13 1:13:09 PM
Comment:
Very Nice and it is working fine. Thanks...

Liby George
Title: Want some Exercise???   
Name: Neetu
Date: 2007-04-23 5:01:39 AM
Comment:
It's Really nice and very helpful stuff .
But I request you to give me the only exercise for C#.net
I want to practice by applying the logics on the projects.
Please can you help me out of this???
If you have wny questions kindly revert me back on my email id as adwani_neetu@yahoo.co.in
Also Can I get totally C# Concepts/tutorial on internet.
If yes then send me the link to my email id.

Thanks & Regards,
Neetu
Title: Select a combo item by Value   
Name: Jus
Date: 2007-04-23 1:30:51 AM
Comment:
Ahh... Sandeep, just spotted previous entry. Thought I would have to do that.
Title: Select a combo item by Value   
Name: Jus
Date: 2007-04-23 1:25:35 AM
Comment:
Ok - so how would you set the currently selected item in the list by it's Value.
Normally I would use cbo.SelectedValue = xxx to set the current item.
Title: Cool   
Name: wackoyacky@yahoo.com.ph
Date: 2007-02-03 7:50:57 PM
Comment:
Cool work around! Very helpful especially for webby guys who's used with asp.net dropdownlist like me! :)
Title: Very Good   
Name: Raef
Date: 2007-01-26 4:17:26 AM
Comment:
Thank you very much .. this is really a hot topic i keep searching for this code long time ago
Title: An issue.. Please help!   
Name: Kathir
Date: 2007-01-17 2:59:07 AM
Comment:
Hi Sandeep,
It's a great tip!
Sandeep - I have an issue. I'm using VS.NET 2003 Enterprise Architect and i'm not getting the property DATA of ComboBox1.SelectedItem. Is this the problem withe version and edition i'm using?
Thanks.
Title: For Karunya   
Name: Sandeep
Date: 2007-01-05 11:43:10 AM
Comment:
Hello Karunya,
Try something like this :
*********************************************************

For Each oDataRow In oDataTable.Rows
cmbEmployee.Items.Add(New DataDescription( _
oDataRow.Item("employeeId"), _
oDataRow.Item("employeeName")))
If CInt(oDataRow.Item("employeeId")) = 6 Then
cmbEmployee.SelectedIndex = cmbEmployee.Items.Count - 1
End If
Next
********************************************************
The above lines of code sets the SelectedIndex at the time of populating the dropdown.

You can also take another loop to cover the entire dropdown items and then inside that check for the appropriate dropdown.data.

I guess you may solve your problem by using any of them. But I suggest the first one as the second one involves an extra loop.

please feel free to ask any doubts if you have.

Thanks

Sandeep
Title: Setting the Selected Index using the data value   
Name: Karunya
Date: 2007-01-05 11:22:08 AM
Comment:
This solution has fixed the text/value issues. Thanx.

I have a question.
I am trying to set the selected index of the combo box, with the data(value).

Something like 'cbxEmployee.SelectedItem.Data = empCode'

I would appreciate any kindof help.

Thanx
Title: No the event will not get fired for each entry in the collection.....   
Name: Vikram.
Date: 2006-12-09 11:53:33 PM
Comment:
Please do verify this yourself.. I have verified this... the selectedindexchanged event is fired only once for the item displayed in the combox box!!!!!
Title: nice   
Name: K.senthilkumar
Date: 2006-11-24 6:13:48 AM
Comment:
thank u,,i know about how to full both text and value in ASP.net but i dont know in VB.net but with the help of u, i have cleared my doubts....
Title: good for beginner   
Name: Sandeep
Date: 2006-11-13 5:44:17 AM
Comment:
this is very useful to the beginners and also to me
Title: Some other options, things to consider   
Name: Christopher May
Date: 2006-11-10 12:44:18 PM
Comment:
I wrote up some comments and other options on my blog:

http://www.chrismay.org/2006/11/10/Dealing+With+WinForms+Combobox+And+Namevalue+Items.aspx
Title: Thanks, Nice post on the Confusion   
Name: Sumit Kumar Dhal
Date: 2006-11-07 2:14:03 AM
Comment:
Nice job Sandeep,
This, will help most to achive the solution.
More, this article made me understand, how I can utilize my own classes/objects in a more meaningful way, to optimize the .net control usage.

But, i have a question, not to you, but all microsoft people, why they do not have name-value property combination, in to the combo item type.
Can I conclude that there is a lot more scope to make .net more developer friendly :)

sumit
Title: Nice and informative.   
Name: Sarit
Date: 2006-11-06 1:34:16 AM
Comment:
This sol will solve many problem dealing with text/value issues.

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