MFC How to type into a combo box when certain item is selected

Question

I have created a COMBOBOX in my MFC application.

Lets say I have 3 elements inside it: "apples" "bananas" "Type..."

When "apples" and "bananas" are selected don't allow the user to type into the combobox which is achieved by the CBS_DROPDOWNLIST property of my COMBOBOX definition.

However when " Type... " is selected I want the user to add in a new fruit by typing inside the ComboBox.

So in other words have the ComboBox with the CBS_DROPDOWNLIST and CBS_DROPDOWN property depending on the element selected.

Is this possible?

Answer 1

No, a combo box can have only one of CBS_DROPDOWNLIST , CBS_DROPDOWN or CBS_SIMPLE styles, not a combination of them.

You can probably somehow emulate your desired behavior by using the CBS_DROPDOWN style and having the edit control disabled (enable it when the user selects "Type..." ). The GetComboBoxInfo() function (or the CB_GETCOMBOBOXINFO message) returns the handles of the edit and list controls, among other info.

Or else use the CBS_DROPDOWNLIST style and display a simple dialog-box (with an edit control and OK/Cancel buttons to add an element to the combo-box)