wrap the ExecuteScalar method call in a try/catch and take appropriate actions if an exception is caught (in the case of no record returned) If you mean that you get an error when you try to do something with myValue, you can check to see if it is null: if(myValue != DBNull.Value) { etc. } RabidK

After doing the DataBind() call, do a ddl.Items.Insert(position, new ListItem("value", "display text"));

Nickson wrote: Hmmm... still couldn't figure out how to do it? I think it's probably a good idea that you do; I think it'll answer your new question as well. If you can send me an example of exactly what you want to do (make it by email to pdriley@santt.com, if you want, so we can use attachments and don't have to worry about asp tags getting lost in the message) then I can give you a better idea of how to do it. Paul We all will feed the worms and trees So don't be shy - Queens of the Stone Age, Mosquito Song