AJAX :: How To Get The Text Typed Into A Combo Box

Can I provide a Combobox that will EITHER let a user type in a value OR let them select from the dropdown? I am trying to create a scenario where a user can attach a value to an object they are editing. When attaching that value, I want them to be able to type in a completely new value or, select from a list of already-existing values.

When I create the combo box, I add a list item that has text like "Type a value or pick from the list"...this has an index of 0. Then I append the databound values to the list.

A combo box seems like the perfect solution since it combines a text box with a drop down list but, I can not figure out how to retrieve the text that has been typed into the combobox once the form is submitted. cmbMyComboBox.text seems to be the obvious way to do it but, that returns an empty string. If I try to get the SelectedItem.Text then, I get "Type a value or pick from the list" instead of whatever text I typed into the combobox, once it was displayed.

Am I trying to do something that the ComboBox is not meant to do? How can I accomplish this?

I have decided to abandon trying to use the combo box. I am trying to use a dropdown menu in one column, and text boxes in all the others. But, I am having a strange problem with that as well. I will post those problems in the appropriate forum. I marked this post as "No Status" because I didn't see any way to delete it.