>>>>>For highlighting the current item the above mentioned properties should be used. What exactly do you mean by plain old BackColor?
>>>>
>>>>Just the backcolor of the listbox whether there are items in it or not.
>>>
>>>I see - looks like there is no property for that. You can use transparent shape technique, I guess.
>>
>>perhaps it is a class issue rechecking...........
>>
>>In my class definition of the listbox, in the gotfocus event I have
>>=MESSAGEBOX("class gotfocus")
>>but the message never gets displayed. Shouldn't it?
>
>With listbox you may also take a look at When event and Click event.

I don't have anything assigned to the when or click event in either the listbox or it's parent.
but as per above, shouldn't the message get displayed?