Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
 
Dim conn As New System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnection("Network Library=DBMSSOCN;" & "Data Source=abacus\mydatabase;" & "Initial Catalog=CADCAM2;" & "Integrated Security =True;" & "MultipleActiveResultSets=True;")
Dim strSQL As String = "SELECT * FROM product"
Dim da As New System.Data.SqlClient.SqlDataAdapter(strSQL, conn)
Dim ds As New DataSet
da.Fill(ds, "product")
 
With Me.cmbDropDown
.DataSource = ds.Tables("product")
.DisplayMember = "product_name"
.ValueMember = "product_id"
.SelectedIndex = 0
End With
 
end sub

Private Sub cmbCproduct_SelectedValueChanged(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles cmbCproduct.SelectedValueChanged
 
'when the user selects the product_name from the combo box i should be able to get the product_id.
 
End Sub

Dim strSQL2 As String = "SELECT product_id FROM product where product_name=" & Me.cmbDropDown.SelectedItem