ListBox Tag Value

[mdwg2020]

Apparently there is no way to specify tag information for an element in a listbox, is there any other way that I can associate data with the listbox items. For instance, I already have the string that I would like to have displayed, but I would like to have a tag type element that I can store a database key for each listbox item. That way, if someone selects that particular item, I can get the information that I need out of a database

Any ideas?

Brooks

 

[ThatRickGuy]

I beleive (may be wrong) but Listboxes (and comboboxes) have a display field and a value field. So you could create a data table that contains your string value and the key value, then bind it to the list box, then set the display field and value field.

-Rick

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[RiverGuy]

A ListBox contains Objects, not just strings. If you don't want to do data-binding, then you can create your own class with two properties, one for the display text and one for the value. Add those to the ListBox.

 

[Borvik]

Riverguy's got it - just make sure when writing the class to override the function ToString() so that it will display correctly.

 

[mdwg2020]

Thanks Guys, I actually began creating a listbox class that has the additional properties, so hopefully I will not have any problems with that.

I have another question concerning using data binding. Since I already have a table in the dataset with the information, what is the process for binding the data instead using an inherited class, and which would be better or easier.

Thanks, I have the class override setup from a sample that I saw somewhere else.

 

[mdwg2020]

Well, I haven't been successful yet. I attempted to do the databinding by binding DisplayMember and ValueMember to a dataset table that I have. However, when I run the program, nothing appears in the ListBox. I'm not sure what I am suppose to do at this point. I believe I binded the data correctly, but I can't get anything to show up. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Brooks

 

[ThatRickGuy]

Post code. make sure you set the listbox.datasource = data table, then set the display and value members.

-Rick

----------------------
If you're about to post an ASP.Net question,
please don't do it in the VB.Net forum

http://www.ringdev.com

I believe in killer coding ninja monkeys.

 

[mdwg2020]

Hey Rick,

This is what I attempted to do:

<code>
lstCourses.DataSource = dsResults.Tables(2)
lstCourses.DisplayMember = "LEDef_Name"
lstCourses.ValueMember = "LEDef_PK"
</code>

And this loaded my ListBox (lstCourses) perfectly, however, I couldn't get the data back out of it. If I did a debug.WriteLine on either the SelectedItem, DisplayMember, or ValueMember, I only got what they bindings were, such as LEDef_Name, LEDef_PK, and System.DataRow I believe. I'm obviously not doing something right!

 

[mdwg2020]

I also apparently forgot how to post code, I thought I could just use <Code>Tags</Code>.

 

[ThatRickGuy]

you'll want to use '[' in stead of '<'

-Rick

----------------------
If you're about to post an ASP.Net question,
please don't do it in the VB.Net forum

http://www.ringdev.com

I believe in killer coding ninja monkeys.