Footer Dropdwonlist Issue

[Chris]

I'm using a footer in my datagrid as an "add" row. I've read the current
postings and their links but am still having trouble adding the default of
"(select)" to the drropdownlist controls. I've tried:

mydddefectcodesF.Items.Insert(0, New ListItem("(please select)", ""))

mydddefectcodesF.Items.Insert(0, "Select One")
mydddefectcodesF.Items.FindByText("Select One").Value = 0
mydddefectcodesF.SelectedIndex = 0

in the Item created area, but no luck. I'm binding the dropdownlist via:

<FooterTemplate>
<asp:DropDownList id="dddefectcodesF" CssClass="gridtext" width="150"
DataSource="<%# BindDefectCodes() %>" DataTextField="DefectCode"
DataValueField="DefectCode_ID" runat="server" />
</FooterTemplate>

Public Function BindDefectCodes()

Dim objConn As SqlConnection = New SqlConnection(ConnectString)
Dim cmdDefectCodes As SqlCommand = New SqlCommand("SELECT DefectCode_ID,
DefectCode from view_DefectCodes", objConn)
cmdDefectCodes.CommandType = CommandType.Text
objConn.Open()
Return cmdDefectCodes.ExecuteReader(CommandBehavior.Close Connection)

End Function

thanx!