Combo box default value in Access form

Question

Hi,

I have a combo box (named 'Disposition') on an Access form whose data source is a query.  I want to specify the first item in the query as the default value.

I thought the way to do this was to set the following property:

Default Value:  =Disposition.ItemData(0)

I've tried this, but it still defaults to blank for newly inserted data items.

Also tried:

Default Value:  =[Disposition].ItemData(0)

Default Value:  =Disposition.ItemData

Default Value:  =[Disposition].ItemData

Default Value:  Disposition.ItemData(0)

Default Value:  Disposition.ItemData

Default Value:  [Disposition].ItemData

Any idea why this might be failing?

Thanks!

Emily

Answer 1

If the combo box is an unbound control, while you can set the DefaultValue property of an unbound control, it's much the same as assigning an initial value to it, so in the form's Load event procedure you can put:

    Me.Disposition= Me.Disposition.ItemData(0)

If it's a bound control then you could put the following in the form's Load event procedure rather than setting the property in the properties sheet:

    Me.Disposition.DefaultValue = """" & Me.Disposition.ItemData(0) & """"

Note that the DefaultValue property is always a string expression, regardless of the data type of the column to which it is bound, hence the literal quotes.

Answer 2

Try using the same SQL but set 'TOP 1' for the default.

Answer 3

I don't see why that doesn't work.

Don't forget that the DefaultValue property is only evaluated and used on a new record at the time you enter the first character in some bound control.  If you are expecting anything else, it won't do whatever it is you wanted it to do.

BTW, all six of the things you tried are valid syntax for the same thing.