VBA & Macro Problems

How to Show an Excel Combo Box Selection in a UserForm Text Box

Emma Brown Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to resize an ActiveX combo box in an Excel UserForm and automatically display the selected drop-down value inside a text box.

How to Show an Excel Combo Box Selection in a UserForm Text Box

Product: Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Designing a UserForm with ActiveX controls where dynamic data from a combo box must populate a text box for further processing.
Observed behavior: ActiveX combo boxes can be difficult to resize directly on the sheet, and require VBA change event code to successfully pass their selected value to another control.

Before you start

Ensure that the Developer tab is enabled in your Excel ribbon and that your workbook is saved as a Macro-Enabled Workbook (.xlsm) to allow VBA code execution.

Solution 1Recommended

Resize the Combo Box and Link it to a Text Box via VBA

Use Design Mode and the Properties window to properly adjust the dimensions of your ActiveX combo box, then use a VBA Change event to link its value to the text box.

ActiveX controls behave differently than standard form controls. They must be modified while in Design Mode to access their backend properties like Width and Height.

To pass data between UserForm elements interactively, you need to use VBA event triggers. The Change event ensures that the moment a user selects a new item in the combo box, the text box updates instantly.

Enable Design Mode

Navigate to the Developer tab on your Excel ribbon. Click on the 'Design Mode' button to activate it, which allows you to edit and interact with ActiveX controls.

Resize the Combo Box

Click on your combo box to select it. Still on the Developer tab, click 'Properties'. In the Properties window that appears, locate the 'Width' and 'Height' fields and increase their numerical values to resize the combo box as needed.

Add VBA Event Code

Double-click the combo box to open the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) editor. This will automatically generate a 'Change' event subroutine. Inside this subroutine, type the code: TextBox1.Text = ComboBox1.Value (ensure the control names match your actual UserForm names).

Test the UserForm

Close the VBA editor, exit Design Mode by clicking its button again, and interact with your combo box. Selecting an item should now instantly display that value in the linked text box.

Resize the Combo Box and Link it to a Text Box via VBA

Tip for Dynamic Forms: You can also use this same Change event method to perform lookups or calculations based on the combo box selection before displaying the result in the text box.

Advanced Spreadsheet Editing

Manage Macros and UserForms Efficiently with WPS Office

WPS Office provides robust and intuitive support for VBA and macros. You can easily insert ActiveX controls, design interactive UserForms, and automate your workflow with a familiar, streamlined interface.

1. Open your workbook: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open your macro-enabled workbook.
2. Access the Developer Tab: Navigate to the Developer tab on the top ribbon to view all macro and control tools.
3. Use the Visual Basic Editor: Click 'Visual Basic' or 'Design Mode' to start modifying your combo boxes and writing event handlers seamlessly.

Excellent compatibility with Microsoft Excel macro formats (.xlsm)Intuitive Developer tab for easy access to Design Mode and VBA editorsLightweight architecture ensuring fast macro executionComprehensive support for ActiveX controls and UserForm properties

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my ActiveX combo box not resizing when I drag the corners?

ActiveX controls often restrict drag-to-resize behavior depending on the worksheet setup. To ensure precise resizing, you must enable Design Mode from the Developer tab, open the Properties window, and manually adjust the 'Width' and 'Height' property values.

How do I populate the drop-down list of the combo box?

While in Design Mode, click the combo box and open the Properties window. Find the 'ListFillRange' property and type the reference to the cell range containing your list items (for example, Sheet1!A1:A10).

Can I link the combo box selection directly to a spreadsheet cell instead of a text box?

Yes. In the Properties window of the combo box, look for the 'LinkedCell' property. Type the cell address (e.g., B1) here, and the combo box selection will automatically output to that cell without needing any VBA code.

How do I show the Developer tab if it is missing from my ribbon?

Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon. In the right-hand column under Main Tabs, check the box next to 'Developer', then click OK to display it.

Excel & Data Problems