How to Search Through a C# DropDownList Programmatically

Question

I am having a hard time figuring out how to code a series of \"if\" statements that search through different dropdownlists for a specific value entered in a textbox. I was able

Answer 1

foreach (ListItem li in dropdownlist1.Items)
{
    if (li.Value == textBox1.text)
    {
       // The value of the option matches the TextBox. Process stuff here.
    }
}

That is my suggestion for how to see if the value is in the dropdownlist.

Answer 2

The solutions presented work if you want to search for an exact value in a loaded combobox.

This solution, searches for partial values also. It uses a search button and the text portion of the dropdown box as the search criteria

Private Sub btnSearch_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles btnSearch.Click

    ' query the dropdown object
    ''''''''''''
    ' part 9457 is a "contains" sample
    ' part 111 is a "startswith" sample

    Dim query As IEnumerable(Of [Object]) = _
    From item In cboParts.Items _
    Where (item.ToString().ToUpper().StartsWith(cboParts.Text.ToUpper())) _
    Select (item)

    ' show seached item as selected item
    cboParts.SelectedItem = query.FirstOrDefault()

    ' "startswith" fails, so look for "contains" 
    If String.IsNullOrEmpty(cboParts.SelectedItem) Then

        Dim query1 As IEnumerable(Of [Object]) = _
        From item In cboParts.Items _
        Where (item.ToString().ToUpper().Contains(cboParts.Text.ToUpper())) _
        Select (item)

        ' show seached item as selected item
        cboParts.SelectedItem = query1.FirstOrDefault()

        If String.IsNullOrEmpty(cboParts.SelectedItem) Then
            MsgBox("Part is not in dropdown list")
        End If

    End If

Answer 3

If you don't want to use LINQ:

        List<ComboBox> dropDowns = new List<ComboBox>();
        dropDowns.Add(comboBox1);
        dropDowns.Add(comboBox2);

        bool found = false;
        ComboBox foundInCombo = null;
        int foundIndex = -1;

        for (int i = 0; i < dropDowns.Count && found == false; i++)
        {
            for (int j = 0; j < dropDowns[i].Items.Count && found == false; j++)
            {
                if (item == textBox1.Text)
                {
                    found = true;
                    foundInCombo = dropDowns[i];
                    foundIndex = j;
                }
            }
        }