This is probably something simple. The winforms combobox items by default can be edited by the user, how to disable this?
Asked
Active
Viewed 4.4k times
23
-
1possible duplicate of [Readonly ComboBox in WinForms](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/162936/readonly-combobox-in-winforms) – Hans Olsson Sep 26 '11 at 12:14
-
possible duplicate of [How can I make a ComboBox non-editable in .net?](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/85702/how-can-i-make-a-combobox-non-editable-in-net) – nawfal Dec 29 '13 at 02:15
5 Answers
50
Set DropDownStyle = DropDownList.

Alex F
- 42,307
- 41
- 144
- 212
-
1These answers should be rejected. Simply setting the comboxbox to a DropDownStyle of "DropDownList" takes away the ability of the user to start typing and filtering the list based on user input. This is extremely helpful for large lists. – David P Mar 24 '20 at 13:39
-
@DavidP it is a working solution and it should not be rejected based on just that aspect. Your comment is valuable though. – Alex P. Jan 26 '23 at 22:47
14
Set the ComboBox.DropDownStyle to DropDownList.
ComboBox1.DropDownStyle = ComboBoxStyle.DropDownList;
Specifies that the list is displayed by clicking the down arrow and that the text portion is not editable. This means that the user cannot enter a new value. Only values already in the list can be selected.

CharithJ
- 46,289
- 20
- 116
- 131
1
two Method that help you Stop User to not Edit DropDownList:
A. using Programming code:
DropDownListName.DropDownStyle = ComboBoxStyle.DropDownList;\
B. using Design properties of Visual Studio
Set DropDownStyle = DropDownList.
I hope this well help you.

Khalid
- 603
- 9
- 22
1
Try setting the DropDownStyle property to DropDownList. Style of Simple makes it like a listbox, Combobox is what you are seeing allowing editing, and DropDownList only allows user to select.

Steve Sloka
- 3,444
- 2
- 22
- 29