XL2000: Using the AddItem Method Causes an Error When RowSource Is Data Bound

When you use the AddItem method to add an item to the list of a ListBox or ComboBox control, you may receive the following error message:

This problem occurs when both of the following conditions are true:

1. You use the AddItem method to add an item to either a ListBox or ComboBox control.
   -and-
2. The ListBox or ComboBox control is data bound (the RowSource property is set to a range on a worksheet).

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To add an item to a ListBox or ComboBox control during runtime, you can either add an item from a worksheet range, or add an item from a variable. Which method you use depends on how you add the item to the list.

The following examples illustrate the two methods.

Step 1: (Method 1 and Method 2)

1. Close and Save any open workbooks and create a new workbook.
2. Define the range A1:A3 in Sheet1 as myrange.
3. Type the following data in Sheet1:

            A1: a
            A2: b
            A3: c
            A4: d
            A5: e
   					

4. Start the Visual Basic Editor (press ALT+F11).
5. On the Insert menu, click UserForm.
6. Click the ListBox control in the Toolbox, and then add a ListBox to the UserForm.
7. If the Properties window is not visible, press F4.
8. Change the RowSource property of the ListBox control to Sheet1!myrange.
9. Add a CommandButton control to the UserForm.

Step 2:

Method 1: Adding an Item from a Worksheet Range

This example assumes you want to extend the range for the RowSource control during run time. The following example macro increases the "myrange" reference by one cell each time you click the CommandButton on the UserForm, and updates the ListBox. To use the macro, do the following:

1. Double-click the CommandButton on the UserForm to display the module associated with the UserForm.
2. Type the following code for the Click event of CommandButton1:

         Private Sub CommandButton1_Click()
   
             Sheet1.Range("myrange").Resize _
                 (Sheet1.Range("myrange").Rows.Count + 1, 1).Name _
                 ="myrange"
   
             ListBox1.RowSource = "Sheet1!myrange"
   
         End Sub
   					

3. Run the UserForm.
   
   Initially, the ListBox displays only the items from A1:A3.
4. Click the CommandButton once.
   
   The ListBox displays the items from A1:A4.
5. Click the Close button on the UserForm.

Method 2: Adding an Item from a Variable

1. Type the following code for the Click event of CommandButton1:

         Private Sub CommandButton1_Click()
   
             Dim myarray
             Dim mystring as String
   
             'The List property returns a variant array.
             myarray = ListBox1.List
   
             'Clear the RowSource property during run time.
             'The ListBox no longer is bound to the defined name.
             ListBox1.RowSource = ""
   
             'Set the List property for the ListBox to the array.
             ListBox1.List() = myarray
   
             mystring = InputBox("Type a text string")
   
             'You can use the AddItem method because the ListBox is not
             'bound to the worksheet cells (referenced by the defined
             'name).
             ListBox1.AddItem mystring
   
         End Sub
   					

2. Run the UserForm.
3. Click the CommandButton in the UserForm.
4. Type test text string in the InputBox and click OK.
   
   The text "test text string" is added to the ListBox.
5. Click the Close button on the UserForm.

For more information about the List property, in the Visual Basic Editor, click Microsoft Visual Basic Help on the Help menu, type list property in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.

For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: