So, I've got a grid with a drop-down list. It's in the 2nd column (the first column is actually hidden). Users create a series of rows in this grid and then it's exported to a spreadsheet. Works fine. However, we also IMPORT from the spreadsheet, and when we do, the code to create the dropdowns doesn't work - presumably because the data has been imported in and has set the schema. Instead of the dropdown in the first visible column ('Exhibit Type'), it ends up in the 2nd column. 

I am happy to change the import methodology if that's the issue. Or do I have to somehow alter the schema after the import?

What I want to end up with is the proper values in all columns, of course, and the dropdown functional on EVERY row - even rows imported from the spreadsheet, so they can make changes if they want to.

Import code:

Private Sub Load_Grid_from_Disk()
Dim myConnection As String = "Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0;Data Source=" & File_Path & ";Extended Properties="
myConnection = myConnection & Chr(34) & "Excel 12.0;HDR=YES" & Chr(34)
' ''myConnection = myConnection & Chr(34) & "Excel 12.0 Xml;HDR=YES" & Chr(34)
Dim conn As OleDbConnection = New OleDbConnection(myConnection)
Dim strSQL As String = "SELECT * FROM [Exhibits$]"
Dim myCommand As OleDbCommand = New OleDbCommand(strSQL, conn)
Dim DataSet As DataSet = New DataSet()
Try
Dim Adapter As OleDbDataAdapter = New OleDbDataAdapter(myCommand)
Adapter.Fill(DataSet)
Catch ex As Exception
MsgBox(ex.ToString)
End Try
Ultragrid1.DataSource = DataSet
End Sub

Code to create dropdown:

Private Sub Ultragrid1_InitializeLayout(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As Infragistics.Win.UltraWinGrid.InitializeLayoutEventArgs) Handles Ultragrid1.InitializeLayout
e.Layout.Bands(0).Columns(0).CellActivation = Activation.Disabled
Dim vl As ValueList
If (Not e.Layout.ValueLists.Exists("MyValueList")) Then
vl = e.Layout.ValueLists.Add("MyValueList")
vl.ValueListItems.Add(1, "B - Transfers Out")
vl.ValueListItems.Add(2, "C - Transfers In")
vl.ValueListItems.Add(3, "D - RTV")
vl.ValueListItems.Add(4, "WRR - Purchase Orders")
End If
e.Layout.Bands(0).Columns(1).ValueList = e.Layout.ValueLists("MyValueList")
e.Layout.Bands(0).Columns(1).Style = UltraWinGrid.ColumnStyle.DropDownList
End Sub