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Specify which row is the default value in a list box or combo box

In a form, you can specify which row is automatically selected in a list box or combo box. This procedure does not apply to data access pages.

1. Open a form in Design view.
2. Make sure that the combo box is selected and then click Properties on the Form Design toolbar.
3. In the DefaultValue property box, type [comboboxname].ItemData(n) where n is the row that you want to use as the default. The ItemData property is zero-based, so type ItemData(0) if you want to make the first row in the list the default. For example, to specify the first row of the SupplierCombo combo box as the default for the combo box, type [SupplierCombo].ItemData(0) in the DefaultValue property box.

Note  If you want to specify a default value for a lookup combo box in Microsoft Access database (.mdb) table Design view, enter a default value in the DefaultValue property for the foreign key. For example, if you have a SupplierID foreign key in a Products table, click the SupplierID field, and then enter a valid supplier ID number in the DefaultValue property box in the lower portion of the window. The next time you add this Supplier ID field to a form, Access automatically sets the default value for the field.