To populate a vb combobox or list box in a spreadsheet with the data in from vba code try this in the "sheet1" background:

Private Sub ComboBox1_GotFocus()
With ComboBox1
.AddItem "cats"
.AddItem "dogs"
.AddItem "horses"
End With
End Sub

This function is not 'called'. Basicly the combobox when using the got focus (or lost focus) is aware of its state and will run by itself. To experiment with this, simply place any control into a user form, for example a combo box. Then..

Private Sub ComboBox1_GotFocus()
MsgBox("I'm alive!!!")
End Sub

Just click in or out of the combo box to watch it work. Try it with the 'MoveMove' function.
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i was doing it in the

form_initialize() method..

when does _gotfocus() get called ? [/SIZE][/QUOTE]

So there's no way to initially populate the boxes ?
From what I gather what you're saying, when you first open the Excel file, you'd have to click on the box before it would populate



Originally posted by RickKnight
This function is not 'called'. Basicly the combobox when using the got focus (or lost focus) is aware of its state and will run by itself. To experiment with this, simply place any control into a user form, for example a combo box. Then..

Private Sub ComboBox1_GotFocus()
MsgBox("I'm alive!!!")
End Sub

Just click in or out of the combo box to watch it work. Try it with the 'MoveMove' function.
----------
i was doing it in the

form_initialize() method..

when does _gotfocus() get called ? [/SIZE][/QUOTE]

No there is another way. Use the cell validation technique (using a list).
But your right on your assumption. You wouldn't see the data anyway until you've clicked on it (got focus or on click).

Originally posted by ontheDB
So there's no way to initially populate the boxes ?
From what I gather what you're saying, when you first open the Excel file, you'd have to click on the box before it would populate



[/SIZE][/QUOTE]

Originally posted by RickKnight
No there is another way. Use the cell validation technique (using a list).
But your right on your assumption. You wouldn't see the data anyway until you've clicked on it (got focus or on click).

[/SIZE][/QUOTE]

I found a way.

By putting the code in the
Private Sub Workbook_Open()

End Sub

in the "ThisWorkBook" object, you can execute it only once at startup.

There is a property (depending on the Combo Box control)
ListFillRange that can be defined and will be automatically updated whenever the values in the range change.
using VB code to update will give the same result but will fix the dropdown at open time unless you continually refresh. In your example this maybe exactly what you need.
Always best (this is for others) to put MSGBOX in the code to see whether an even it working in the Initialise, Open or whatever !!!