Uselecting DropDownList Item

[jstansell]

This seems like a real easy question but I can not figure it out.

I have a DropDownList control that is bound to a dataset. This works fine, however, the DropDownList control automatically selects the first item in this list. How can I make the list start out without any item selected?

thanks

[pvb]

Just need to insert a new item after you databind:

protected override void OnInit(System.EventArgs e)
{
  if (!Page.IsPostBack)
  {
    ...
    ...
    YourDropDownList.DataBind();
    YourDropDownList.Items.Insert(0, new ListItem("- Select -", "-1"));
  }
} 

[MarkusJ_NZ]

Have you tried going

YourDropDownList.SelectedItemIndex = -1

Cheers
MarkusJ