How to disable editing of elements in combobox for c#?

Question

I have some elements in a ComboBox (WinForms with C#). I want their content to be static so that a user cannot change the values inside when the application is ran. I also do not want the user adding new values to the ComboBox

score 337 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 17 '12 at 15:03

337

Use the ComboStyle property:

comboBox.DropDownStyle = ComboBoxStyle.DropDownList;

edited Apr 17 '12 at 15:03

answered Feb 28 '09 at 18:40

Dan Walker

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This can also be set in the properties window of the designer. – Jeffrey Feb 28 '09 at 18:43
4

With recent versions you can use `combo.Properties.TextEditStyle = DisableTextEditor` – Keysharpener Jan 08 '16 at 17:04

score 23 · Answer 2 · answered Nov 07 '12 at 04:55

23

This is another method I use because changing DropDownSyle to DropDownList makes it look 3D and sometimes its just plain ugly.

You can prevent user input by handling the KeyPress event of the ComboBox like this.

private void ComboBox1_KeyPress(object sender, KeyPressEventArgs e)
{
      e.Handled = true;
}

answered Nov 07 '12 at 04:55

Isuru

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You can change its appearence in the designer, FlatStyle :) – StinkyCat Mar 04 '13 at 15:01
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@StinkyCat That doesn't change the look of the popped up list, only the control in the form. – Logarr Mar 04 '13 at 22:48
You have to handle right click menu where you have option `Paste` too. I've no idea how right now. – Sinatr Apr 17 '13 at 10:18
3

Ok, to remove `Paste` you will have to create fake empty context menu and assign it to the ComboBox. – Sinatr Apr 17 '13 at 10:27

score 13 · Answer 3 · edited Oct 16 '19 at 05:16

13

Yow can change the DropDownStyle in properties to DropDownList. This will not show the TextBox for filter.

_{(Screenshot provided by FUSION CHA0S.)}

edited Oct 16 '19 at 05:16

Cody Gray - on strike

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answered Aug 25 '15 at 12:20

Sumit Agrawal

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Sushil Jadhav · Answer 4 · 2019-01-31T08:11:55.557

I tried ComboBox1_KeyPress but it allows to delete the character & you can also use copy paste command. My DropDownStyle is set to DropDownList but still no use. So I did below step to avoid combobox text editing.

Below code handles delete & backspace key. And also disables combination with control key (e.g. ctr+C or ctr+X)

 Private Sub CmbxInType_KeyDown(sender As Object, e As KeyEventArgs) Handles CmbxInType.KeyDown
    If e.KeyCode = Keys.Delete Or e.KeyCode = Keys.Back Then 
        e.SuppressKeyPress = True
    End If

    If Not (e.Control AndAlso e.KeyCode = Keys.C) Then
        e.SuppressKeyPress = True
    End If
End Sub

In form load use below line to disable right click on combobox control to avoid cut/paste via mouse click.
```
CmbxInType.ContextMenu = new ContextMenu()
```

How to disable editing of elements in combobox for c#?

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