How to Use a Custom Grid with ComboBox Columns

Introduction

I'm a lazy person. I don't want to write a lot of code, but sometimes I have to, especially when I try to use free software with Windows.

Background

This tip has been created after a long time while I'm trying to combine MySQL database and Microsoft Excel in one C# application for non-IT users.

Using the Code

This code has been created and tested in a custom DataGridView without underlining DataSource in Microsoft Visual C# 2010 (Express).

1. Declare class for combo box item in your project. This class must have at least two properties (not a data member):

       class CBItemClass
       {
           long id;
           string name;
           public long ID
           {
               get { return id;}
               set {id = value;}
           }
           public string Name
           {
               get { return name; }
               set { name = value; }
           }
       } 

2. Declare combo box source collection in your form:

       List<CBItemClass> xlCols2;

3. Fill this collection with items you need (I assume that you create an instance for your data source before you try to fill it):

       CBItemClass o = new CBItemClass();
       xlCols2.Add(o);

4. Prepare your DataGridView's column to use items you load:

       col.ValueMember = "ID"; // this property will be used as a key */
       col.DisplayMember = "Name";// this property will display to user even in drop down list
       col.DataSource = xlCols2; // connect collection with the column 

5. And, when you need - you can set a value that you need in combo with similar code:

       CBItemClass o = new CBItemClass(); // create an item
       o.ID = ...; // set primary key
       o.Name = ...;// set display name
       dataGrid.Rows[1].Cells[1].Value = o; // set cell's value

6. After all, you'll get a grid with your values.

Points of Interest

I wrote this tip after I spent half a day to search a solution for my issue.

History

• 2014-02-10 17:50:00 : Initial post