>Using a listbox was basically impossible because there would not be enough room on the screen to fit that many listboxes with everything else that is needed.

Well, it wouldn't be pretty, but you could use a textbox + a listbox. When the textbox gets focus, make the listbox visible. It *might* kinda look like it's "dropped down" over other form controls.

However, I think the other solution you've come up with is more reasonable. You can make this sort of combo a class that you can reuse everywhere you need the behavior.