Ted,

>My template field dropdownlist is bound to a status table with a status code & description. I want to update the gridview table with the status code but display the status description in the grid after updating.
>
>If I may speak VFP/VMP I wish to implement a picklistvalid but not expose the underlying FK's/codes.

In this scenario, you need to have the DataTable bound to your GridView return both the code and the description from the back end (by means of a join). That way the ItemTemplate label can bind to the description text rather than the code. This will require you to update the description when a user selects an item from the DropDownList.

Best Regards,