Adding a default value in dropdownlist after binding with database

Question

I binded my ddl to my database as below, but how can I add a default text on top of the binded values so that it appears as:

Select Color ---> default text Red ---> database value Blue ---> database value Green ---> database value    

Code:

    DropDownList ddlSize = (DropDownList)FormView_Product.Row.Cells[0].FindControl("ddlSize");     CommerceEntities db = new CommerceEntities();      ddlColor.DataSource = from p in db.ProductTypes                                       where p.ProductID == pID                                       orderby p.Color                                        select new { p.Color };     ddlColor.DataTextField = "Color"; 

Thanks!

Answer 1

After data-binding, do this:

ddlColor.Items.Insert(0, new ListItem("Select","NA")); //updated code 

Or follow Brian's second suggestion if you want to do it in markup.

You should probably add a RequiredFieldValidator control and set its InitialValue to "NA".

<asp:RequiredFieldValidator .. ControlToValidate="ddlColor" InitialValue="NA" />