Bind an ADO.NET DataTable to a ListBox using VB.NET

The example below shows us how to bind a ListBox using vb.NET. The ListBox comes from System.Windows.Controls namespace. It’s a list of items that can be selected.

First, create a new Visual Studio Project using VB.NET, then add a list box control to the main form as shown below:

For this example we will use the table below:

Design View

Data View

Now add the code that binds the ListBox myListBox:

VB.NET

Sub BindListBox()
    Dim connetionString = "Data Source=TutorialsPanel-DB\SQLEXPRESS; Initial Catalog=TutorialsPanel;Integrated Security=True;"
    Dim conn As System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnection = New SqlClient.SqlConnection(connetionString)
    Dim da As New SqlDataAdapter
    Dim cmd As New SqlCommand
    Dim dt As New DataTable

    cmd.CommandText = "Select LanguageName from ProgrammingLanguage Order by LanguageName ASC"
    da.SelectCommand = cmd
    da.SelectCommand.Connection = conn
    da.Fill(dt)
    myListBox.DataSource = dt
    myListBox.DisplayMember = "LanguageName"
    myListBox.ValueMember = "LanguageName"

End Sub

Then call this sub when the form loads:

Private Sub frmMain_Load(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
    BindListBox()
End Sub

Now let’s popup a MessageBox when the ListBox is clicked:

Private Sub myListBox_SelectedIndexChanged(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles myListBox.SelectedIndexChanged
    MessageBox.Show("You have selected: " + myListBox.Text)
End Sub

Run the solution then select an item