drop down list value in asp.net

Question

I want to add a value to the drop down list that cannot be selected, like a title. Ex: I have a month drop down list. The very first item should be \"select month\" this sho

Answer 1

You can add an empty value such as:

ddlmonths.Items.Insert(0, new ListItem("Select Month", ""))

And just add a validation to prevent chosing empty option such as asp:RequiredFieldValidator.

Answer 2

Say you have a drop down called ddlMonths:

ddlMonths.Items.Insert(0,new ListItem("Select a month","-1");

Answer 3

In simple way, Its not possible. Because DropdownList contain ListItem and it will be selected by default

But, you can use ValidationControl for that:

<asp:RequiredFieldValidator InitialValue="-1" ID="Req_ID" Display="Dynamic" 
ValidationGroup="g1" runat="server" ControlToValidate="ControlID"
Text="*" ErrorMessage="ErrorMessage"></asp:RequiredFieldValidator>

Answer 4

<asp:DropDownList ID="DdlMonths" runat="server">
    <asp:ListItem Enabled="true" Text="Select Month" Value="-1"></asp:ListItem>
    <asp:ListItem Text="January" Value="1"></asp:ListItem>
    <asp:ListItem Text="February" Value="2"></asp:ListItem>
    ....
    <asp:ListItem Text="December" Value="12"></asp:ListItem>
</asp:DropDownList>

You can even use a RequiredFieldValidator which ignore this item, it considers it as unselected.

<asp:RequiredFieldValidator ID="ReqMonth" runat="server" ControlToValidate="DdlMonths"
    InitialValue="-1">
</asp:RequiredFieldValidator>

Answer 5

To add items to drop down list with value in asp.net using c# just add below codes for example:

try
{
    SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection(conStr);
    SqlCommand comm = conn.CreateCommand();
    comm = conn.CreateCommand();
    comm.CommandText = "SELECT title,gid from Groups";
    comm.CommandType = CommandType.Text;
    conn.Open();
    SqlDataReader dr = comm.ExecuteReader();
    while (dr.Read())
    {
       dropDownList.Items.Add(new 
       ListItem(dr[0].ToString(),dr[1].ToString()));
    }
}
catch (Exception e)
{
    lblText.Text = e.Message;
}
finally
{
  conn.Close();
}

Answer 6

You can try this

your_ddl_id.Items.Insert(0,new ListItem("Select","");