How to set & show default value in dropdownlist from databound items (not static)

[nzkks]

Hi I am using these: ASP.Net 2.0, VB.Net, Visual Studio 2005, SQL Server 2005, Formview controls

In a ASP.Net form I have 20 textboxes and 20 dropdownlists(d dl). All ddl(s) are databound and get the data from a single objectdatasourc e. All textboxes and ddl(s) support null values. Textboxes are for entering numbers and ddl(s) are for selecting the unit (mm, cm, in, m3, oz, qt like these.).

I am using the below code to achieve two things.(For each textbox and ddl have their own corresponding codes like below.)

1. Allowing the selection of ddl item also if it is not selected too, a default unit item will be inserted in the database.
2. Only if textbox has value then the default unit item will be inserted in the database.

It is working fine.

Part of form below:

<asp:FormView ID="FormView1" runat="server" DataKeyNames="ImperialMeasureID" DataSourceID="ImperialMeasureDataSource" DefaultMode="Insert">
<InsertItemTemplate>
<asp:TextBox ID="tbProductSizeValue" runat="server" Text='<%# Bind("ProductSizeValue") %>' Columns="6" MaxLength="6"></asp:TextBox>
<asp:DropDownList ID="ddlProductSizeUnit" runat="server" AppendDataBoundItems="True" DataTextField="UnitValue" DataValueField="UnitValue">
    <asp:ListItem Text="---" Value="" />
</asp:DropDownList>

Part of code behind:

Dim ddl1 As DropDownList = CType(FormView1.FindControl("ddlProductSizeUnit"), DropDownList)
Dim tb1 As TextBox = CType(FormView1.FindControl("tbProductSizeValue"), TextBox)
If ddl1.SelectedValue = "" AndAlso tb1.Text.Length > 0 Then
   e.Values("ProductSizeUnit") = "oz"
Else
   e.Values("ProductSizeUnit") = ddl1.SelectedValue
End If

But what I want to change,

* Visually the form should show the preferred ddl default item. So that the user can see and if they need to change.
* I don't want to hardcode the preferred unit item (like oz) in the code behind. Instead the ddl item itself should be refered.

How to achieve the above 2 things? (Attached image will show what I am expecting)

Please help me.

[nzkks]

OK, I tried this way and worked for 2 instances. But 3rd ddl onwards are not working and giving the error "Object reference not set to an instance of an object".

Protected Sub FormView1_DataBound(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles FormView1.DataBound
        Dim ddl1 As DropDownList = CType(FormView1.FindControl("ddlProductSizeUnit"), DropDownList)
        ddl1.SelectedItem.Text = ddl1.Items.FindByText("oz").ToString
        Dim ddl2 As DropDownList = CType(FormView1.FindControl("ddlMaxCapacityUnit"), DropDownList)
        ddl2.SelectedItem.Text = ddl2.Items.FindByText("oz").ToString
        Dim ddl3 As DropDownList = CType(FormView1.FindControl("ddlItemDiameterUnit"), DropDownList)
        ddl3.SelectedItem.Text = ddl3.Items.FindByText("in").ToString
rest of 17 ddl code goes here.

What mistake I am doing? Please help me.

[maliksleo]

as for my knowledge is concern you have to add the following code into your page load event as this

If Not IsPostBack Then
dropdown1.databind()
dropdown1.text = "oz"
end if

in the above case it will bind your ddl with the datasourse and then call the value from that data like "oz" repeat this for your remaining ddl(s)

maliksleo

[nzkks]

Thanks. But still not working.

[maliksleo]

Thanks. But still not working.

make sure that you placed all the code in side the code

if not ispostback then
'your code
end if

otherwise it will not work properly.

maliksleo

[muruganad]

Exception: How to Set the default value of a drop down list.

Here is the solution...

http://muruganad.com/ASP.NET/ASP-.NET-Drop-Down-List-Default-Value.html

Thanks!

Murugan Andezuthu Dharmaratnam

http://muruganad.com