An application sends a CB_FINDSTRINGEXACT message to find the first list box string in a combo box that matches the string specified in the lpszFind parameter.
CB_FINDSTRINGEXACT
wParam = (WPARAM) indexStart; // item before start of search
lParam = (LPARAM)(LPCSTR)lpszFind; // address of string to search for
The return value is the zero-based index of the matching item. If the search is unsuccessful, it is CB_ERR.
If you create the combo box with an owner-drawn style but without the CBS_HASSTRINGS style, what the CB_FINDSTRINGEXACT message does depends on whether your application uses the CBS_SORT style. If you use the CBS_SORT style, WM_COMPAREITEM messages are sent to the owner of the combo box to determine which item matches the specified string. If you do not use the CBS_SORT style, the CB_FINDSTRINGEXACT message searches for a list item that matches the value of the lpszFind parameter.
Windows NT: Requires version 3.1 or later.
Windows: Requires Windows 95 or later.
Windows CE: Requires version 1.0 or later.
Header: Declared in winuser.h.
Combo Boxes Overview, Combo Box Messages, CB_FINDSTRING, CB_SELECTSTRING, WM_COMPAREITEM