Combo boxes can be characterized by type and style. Combo box types determine whether the combo box list is a drop-down list and whether the selection field is an edit control. A drop-down list appears only when the user opens it, so it uses less screen space than a list that is always visible. If the selection field is an edit control, the user can enter information not in the list; otherwise, the user can only select items in the list.
The following table shows the three combo box types and indicates whether each includes a drop-down list and an edit control:
| Combo box type | Drop-down list | Edit control |
|---|---|---|
| Drop-down combo box | Yes | Yes |
| Drop-down list box | Yes | No |
| Simple combo box | No | Yes |
Combo box styles define specific properties of a combo box. You can combine styles; however some styles only apply to certain combo box types. For a table of combo box styles, see Combo Box Styles.