well, it is a normal listbox just shrunk down to be the size of one "selection".

anyway, i have pre-populated the list box with the numbers 1-12 or 1-59 (depending on hours, mins, or secs) and i have to use listboxes because that's what the assignment is all about. my teacher says so. but i will try your idea about the got/lost focus. i think that might work. but any other suggestions from you or other people will still be appreciated, just in case it doesn't work.

thanks again.

--michael