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# ComboBox .Undropdown Method
- URL: https://nolongerset.com/combobox-undropdown-method/
- Published: 2021-08-12T03:53:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-05-08T13:03:03.000Z
- Description: Combo boxes have a .Dropdown method. But what if you want the opposite: a .CloseDropdown method? This tip from Adam Waller has the answer.
- Author: Mike Wolfe
- Tags: Combo Boxes, #Import 2026-05-20 02:59

Combo boxes in Access have a [.Dropdown method](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/office/vba/api/access.combobox.dropdown). Several years ago, I asked if there was some way to perform the opposite action. Essentially, I wanted a .CloseDropdown method or a .UnDropdown method. Here was my [question on stackoverflow](https://stackoverflow.com/q/8840177/154439):

> Is there a way to toggle the dropdown of a combo box through VBA? `.Dropdown` is a method and it only works in one direction. I'm looking for the following functionality:
> 
> ```
> MyCombo.Dropdown = True
> MyCombo.Dropdown = False
> 
> ```
> 
> Obviously the above does not work in MS Access. I'm guessing I'll need to use some sort of hack/workaround for this. I'd like to avoid a `.Requery`. That would probably work, but there could be a major performance penalty depending on what the source of the combo box is.

[Adam Waller](https://stackoverflow.com/users/4121863/adamstips) of [Access Version Control fame](https://nolongerset.com/instant-version-control/) came to the rescue with his answer:

> I was dealing with this issue today, and after a lot of trial and error, I discovered that the following works beautifully in Access 2010:
> 
> ```
> With m_cboLookup
>    .ListWidth = .ListWidth    ' Close combo box
>    'If Len(strSearch) > 3 Then .Dropdown
> End With
> 
> ```
> 
> Essentially, you are just setting the list width to the existing list width, but the combo box is closed, presumably to prepare for redrawing at a different size.

In other words, setting the combo box's `ListWidth` property *to itself* is a reliable way to force a combo box's dropdown list to close.

---

### External references

[Opposite of combo box .Dropdown method?Is there a way to toggle the dropdown of a combo box through VBA? .Dropdown is a method and it only works in one direction. I’m looking for the following functionality: MyCombo.Dropdown = TrueM...![](https://cdn.sstatic.net/Sites/stackoverflow/Img/apple-touch-icon.png?v=c78bd457575a)Stack Overflowmwolfe02![](https://cdn.sstatic.net/Sites/stackoverflow/Img/apple-touch-icon@2.png?v=73d79a89bded)](https://stackoverflow.com/q/8840177/154439)

[User AdamsTipsStack Overflow | The World’s Largest Online Community for Developers![](https://cdn.sstatic.net/Sites/stackoverflow/Img/apple-touch-icon.png?v=c78bd457575a)Stack Overflow![](https://cdn.sstatic.net/Sites/stackoverflow/Img/apple-touch-icon@2.png?v=73d79a89bded)](https://stackoverflow.com/users/4121863/adamstips)

### Referenced articles

[A Quick, Free Way to Try Version Control with Microsoft AccessCurious about getting started with version control in Microsoft Access, but don’t want to commit a lot of time or money? This could be just the solution for you.![](https://nolongerset.com/favicon.png)No Longer SetMike Wolfe![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2021/07/Instant-Version-Control-1-.jpg)](https://nolongerset.com/instant-version-control/)

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