What about GotFocus() event? Does it work?

For the message you probably can set DisplayValue - not tested idea...

>>Hi,
>>I've a combobox that takes a few seconds to load.
>>
>>Since the default value of this control is empty, I've decided to delay the data loading process when the user actually needs it (clicking on it, or pressing a key other than TAB and/or ENTER)
>>Basically it works, but there are a few issues related, may be you have a answer ready. :)
>>
>>1) I'm calling the data load from "Mousedown" and "Keypress" events, is there any single point that I can use?
>>This is more a curiosity, since it is working.
>>
>>2) When the user touch the combobox, I'd like to show a simple "wait.. loading data" message, what's the best to way to accomplish this? I've excluded the "wait window" approach.
>>
>>3) When loading data, I set the mouse icon to "hourglass", but it does not appear.
>>

>>    _screen.MousePointer = 11		
>>    doevents
>>

>>I've not dedicated too much time to this problem, so may be the answer is around here :-)
>>
>>Thank you
>__
>Nicola,
>
>[ Nothing tested ]
>
>
>(1) The DropDown() event should work
>
>(2), (3)
>In the DropDown, before the data load, this.MousePointer = 11
>
>After the data load, reset its MousePointer to its previous value