How to use AutoCompleteDataSource with RadCheckedDropDownList

[Darren]

I have a situation where I would like to customize the list of items provided by the auto-completion suggestion list in a RadCheckedDropDownList.  i.e. Even though radCheckedDropDownList1.DataSource is set to one list of values, I need to set radCheckedDropDownList1.AutoCompleteDataSource to a different list of values.  Whenever I attempt to do this, the auto-complete drop-down list still shows suggestions from the DataSource collection rather than the AutoCompleteDataSource collection.

If I attempt the same thing with a normal RadDropDownList, it works fine.  Is this functionality not supported with a RadCheckedDropDownList?  If not, why have an AutoCompleteDataSource property?  If it is supported, what is the proper usage to get it work?

Thanks!

--Darren

[Nadya | Tech Support Engineer]

Hello, Darren,

When you bind RadCheckedDropDownList by specifying the DataSource, DisplayMember, ValueMember properties, then enabling the autocomplete functionality by specifying the AutoCompleteMode is enough to allow the autocomplete functions. Note, in RadCheckedDropDownList the user is allowed to pick an item by checking a checkbox, the auto-complete function should be used to filter through the already available items. This is why the auto-complete popup is expected to show items that are already available in the list. It might be confusing to the user if he/she can pick an item that is not listed.

Usually, setting the AutoCompleteDataSource property is used for the cases when using simple RadDropDownList and when it doesn't have any records in the Items collection which is shown when pressing the arrow button. In other words, if you don't bind RadDropDownList or populate the Items collection, then you need to fill the autocomplete items collection (AutoCompleteDataSource).  So, RadDropDownList.AutoCompleteDataSource property should be used for the auto-complete functionality if no items are populated in the drop-down. In case you already have items into the Items collection, they should be respected when using auto complete.

I hope this information is useful. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Regards,
Nadya | Tech Support Engineer
Progress Telerik