Databound drop down list - initial value

Question

How do I set the initial value of a databound drop down list in ASP.NET?

For instance, I want the values, but the first value to display should be -- Select One ---

Answer 1

What I do is set the text property of the drop down list AFTER I databind it. Something like this:

   protected void LoadPersonComboBox()
    {
        var p = new PeopleBLL();

        rcmbboxEditPerson.DataSource = p.GetPeople();
        rcmbboxEditPerson.DataBind();
        rcmbboxEditPerson.Text = "Please select an existing person to edit...";
    }

This makes the initial visible value of this dropdown show up, but not actually be a part of the drop down, nor is it a selectable.

Answer 2

Add an item and set its "Selected" property to true, you will probably want to set "appenddatabounditems" property to true also so your initial value isn't deleted when databound.

If you are talking about setting an initial value that is in your databound items then hook into your ondatabound event and set which index you want to selected=true you will want to wrap it in "if not page.isPostBack then ...." though

Protected Sub DepartmentDropDownList_DataBound(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As    System.EventArgs) Handles DepartmentDropDownList.DataBound
    If Not Page.IsPostBack Then
        DepartmentDropDownList.SelectedValue = "somevalue"
    End If
End Sub