how to use requiredfield validator with dropdownlist

Here is how we can use requiredfieldvalidator with dropdownlist.

Set the below property of the dropdownlist control

AppendDataBoundItems = true

Then Insert a default value in the Page_Load event

ddl.Items.Insert(0, new ListItem("<<-Select-->", "-1"));

Now define the required field validator and set its initialvalue attribute to "-1"

<asp:RequiredFieldValidator ID="reqddl" runat="server" Text="*" ControlToValidate="ddlRole" InitialValue="-1" SetFocusOnError="true" Display="Dynamic" ValidationGroup="Add"></asp:RequiredFieldValidator>

Happy coding :)