---
title: Load a drop-down list
summary: Binds a list control or grid column to a data source, with an optional leading blank entry.
status: draft
owner: SAIF Doc Gen
last_reviewed: 2026-08-17
library: SAIF.Presentation.Web.Core.Infragistics111
reference_type: package
operation_id: OP-CORE-011
trigger: Consuming page binding a list control
---

# Load a drop-down list

This operation binds a target list control (or grid column) to a data source, mapping the caller's value/text field names, and optionally inserts a leading blank entry in one of three representations.

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| **Operation ID** | OP-CORE-011 |
| **Trigger** | Consuming page binding a list control |
| **Inputs** | Target list control or grid column, data source, value/text fields, `DDLAddItems` blank-entry mode |
| **Outputs** | Populated list control or grid drop-down editor provider |
| **Primary components** | `Utilities.clsControlManager.LoadDDL` (ten overloads), `Utilities.clsControlManager.AddDropDownProvider` |
| **Entry point** | `SAIF.Presentation.Web.Core.Infragistics111/clsControlManager.vb` |

## Steps

1. Clear the target control's existing items.
2. Bind the supplied data source, mapping the caller-supplied value and text member names.
3. Insert a leading blank entry per the `DDLAddItems` mode: ([BR-CORE-032](../business-rules.md#br-core-032-drop-down-lists-may-be-pre-pended-with-a-blank-entry-rendered-as-a-literal-blank-an-empty-string-or-a-space-per-ddladditems))
   - `BlankLiteral`: insert a literal blank entry.
   - `EmptyString`: insert an entry with an empty string value.
   - `Space`: insert an entry containing a single space.
4. For `WebDataGrid`, `AddDropDownProvider` registers a `DropDownProvider` against the named column so in-grid editing uses the list rather than free text.

## Process flow

The following diagram visualizes this operation's control flow.

```mermaid
flowchart TD
	Start([LoadDDL called]) --> S1[Clear existing items]
	S1 --> S2[Bind data source with value/text field mapping]
	S2 --> S3{DDLAddItems mode?}
	S3 -->|BlankLiteral| S4[Insert literal blank entry]
	S3 -->|EmptyString| S5[Insert empty-string entry]
	S3 -->|Space| S6[Insert single-space entry]
	S4 --> S7{Target is WebDataGrid column?}
	S5 --> S7
	S6 --> S7
	S7 -->|Yes| S8[AddDropDownProvider registers grid editor]
	S7 -->|No| EndOk([List control populated])
```

## Failure and edge-case behavior
- None of the ten `LoadDDL` overloads validate that the supplied value/text field names exist on the data source; a mismatch would surface as a runtime binding exception.**

## Related documentation
- [Operations and processes](../operations-processes.md)
- [Business rules](../business-rules.md)

## Sources
- `SAIF.Presentation.Web.Core.Infragistics111/clsControlManager.vb`