As many of you may know or perhaps not know when using two filter parameters in a gridview they both must have values for the gridview to work properly so I created a code behind and i was wondering if anyone could help me clean it up. as of right now it works. If you select the first dropdownlist the data is filtered if you select the first and second its filter and if you select just the second its filter

1    sub BuildFilterExpression(Sender as object, e as eventargs)
2    	Dim Firstapp = DropDownList1.SelectedValue
3    	Dim FirstInd = DropDownList2.SelectedValue
4    	If Firstapp = "" and FirstInd = "" then
5    		SqlDataSource1.FilterExpression = ""
6    	Else
7    		If Firstapp <> "" and FirstInd = "" then
8    			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Clear()
9    			Dim cprFirstApp as new ControlParameter("First_Application", "DropDownList1", "SelectedValue")
10   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Add(cprFirstApp)
11   			SqlDataSource1.FilterExpression = "First_Application = '{0}'"
12   		Else
13   			If SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters("First_Industry") IS Nothing Then
14   				Dim cprFirstIndustry as new ControlParameter("First_Industry", "DropDownList2", "SelectedValue")
15   				SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Add(cprFirstIndustry)
16   				SqlDataSource1.FilterExpression = "(First_Application = '{0}') AND (First_Industry = '{1}')"
17   			Else
18   				SqlDataSource1.FilterExpression = "(First_Application = '{0}') AND (First_Industry = '{1}')"
19   			End If
20   		End If
21   		
22   		If Firstapp = "" and FirstInd <> "" then
23   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Clear()
24   			Dim cprFirstIndustry as new ControlParameter("First_Industry", "DropDownList2", "SelectedValue")
25   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Add(cprFirstIndustry)	
26   			SqlDataSource1.FilterExpression = "First_Industry = '{0}'"
27   		End If
28   	End If
29   End Sub
30   

Your solution looks a lot like a similar situation I have been working with recently.  If you check the thread below, you'll see a post by "Gunteman" (which is the code I went with after adding my own tweaks). This code currently works if selections are made in both CheckBoxLists, but now I'm trying to tweak it so that users can make choices in only one or the other CheckBoxList.  I know that NULL values will play a role in the finished code that I go with when all is said and done.  I may look at yours for ideas - thanks for posting it 

 http://forums.asp.net/t/1272956.aspx

1    sub BuildFilterExpression(Sender as object, e as eventargs)
2    	Dim Firstapp = DropDownList1.SelectedValue
3    	Dim Secondapp = DropDownList3.SelectedValue
4    	Dim FirstInd = DropDownList2.SelectedValue
5    		If Firstapp <> "" and SecondApp = "" and FirstInd = "" then
6    			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Clear()
7    			Dim cprFirstApp as new ControlParameter("First_Application", "DropDownList1", "SelectedValue")
8    			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Add(cprFirstApp)
9    			SqlDataSource1.FilterExpression = "(First_Application = '{0}')"
10   		End If
11   
12   		If Firstapp = "" and SecondApp <> "" and FirstInd = "" then
13   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Clear()
14   			Dim cprSecondApp as new ControlParameter("Second_Application", "DropDownList3", "SelectedValue")
15   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Add(cprSecondApp)
16   			SqlDataSource1.FilterExpression = "(Second_Application = '{0}')"
17   		End If
18   
19   		If Firstapp = "" and SecondApp = "" and FirstInd <> "" then
20   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Clear()
21   			Dim cprFirstIndustry as new ControlParameter("First_Industry", "DropDownList2", "SelectedValue")
22   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Add(cprFirstIndustry)
23   			SqlDataSource1.FilterExpression = "(First_Industry = '{0}')"
24   		End If
25   
26   		If Firstapp <> "" and SecondApp <> "" and FirstInd = "" Then
27   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Clear()
28   			Dim cprFirstApp as new ControlParameter("First_Application", "DropDownList1", "SelectedValue")
29   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Add(cprFirstApp)
30   			Dim cprSecondApp as new ControlParameter("Second_Application", "DropDownList3", "SelectedValue")
31   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Add(cprSecondApp)
32   			SqlDataSource1.FilterExpression = "(First_Application = '{0}') AND (Second_Application = '{1}')"
33   		End If
34   
35   		If Firstapp <> "" and SecondApp = "" and FirstInd <> "" Then
36   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Clear()
37   			Dim cprFirstApp as new ControlParameter("First_Application", "DropDownList1", "SelectedValue")
38   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Add(cprFirstApp)
39   			Dim cprFirstIndustry as new ControlParameter("First_Industry", "DropDownList2", "SelectedValue")
40   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Add(cprFirstIndustry)
41   			SqlDataSource1.FilterExpression = "(First_Application = '{0}') AND (First_Industry = '{1}')"
42   		End If
43   
44   		If Firstapp = "" and SecondApp <> "" and FirstInd <> "" Then
45   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Clear()
46   			Dim cprSecondApp as new ControlParameter("Second_Application", "DropDownList3", "SelectedValue")
47   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Add(cprSecondApp)
48   			Dim cprFirstIndustry as new ControlParameter("First_Industry", "DropDownList2", "SelectedValue")
49   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Add(cprFirstIndustry)
50   			SqlDataSource1.FilterExpression = "(Second_Application = '{0}') AND (First_Industry = '{1}')"
51   		End If
52   
53   		If Firstapp <> "" and SecondApp <> "" and FirstInd <> "" Then
54   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Clear()
55   			Dim cprFirstApp as new ControlParameter("First_Application", "DropDownList1", "SelectedValue")
56   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Add(cprFirstApp)
57   			Dim cprSecondApp as new ControlParameter("Second_Application", "DropDownList3", "SelectedValue")
58   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Add(cprSecondApp)
59   			Dim cprFirstIndustry as new ControlParameter("First_Industry", "DropDownList2", "SelectedValue")
60   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Add(cprFirstIndustry)
61   			SqlDataSource1.FilterExpression = "(First_Application = '{0}') AND (Second_Application = '{1}') AND (First_Industry = '{2}')"
62   		End If
63   
64   End Sub
65   

 i added more do filter with three drop downs know i need help cuz i need to do 6 in the end so anyone want to help reformat this for smaller code there are 7 options here with 6 dropdowns there would have to be 63 of them

All 63 permutations

1    {= ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ }
2    {= ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ }
3    {= ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ }
4    {= ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ }
5    {= ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ }
6    {= ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ }
7    {= ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ }
8    {= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ }
9    {= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ }
10   {= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ }
11   {= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ }
12   {= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ }
13   {= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ }
14   {= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ }
15   {= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ }
16   {= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ }
17   {= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ }
18   {= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ }
19   {= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ }
20   {= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ }
21   {= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ }
22   {= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ }
23   {= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ }
24   {= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ }
25   {= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ }
26   {= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ }
27   {= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ }
28   {= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ }
29   {= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ }
30   {= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ }
31   {= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ }
32   {<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ }
33   {<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ }
34   {<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ }
35   {<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ }
36   {<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ }
37   {<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ }
38   {<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ }
39   {<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ }
40   {<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ }
41   {<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ }
42   {<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ }
43   {<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ }
44   {<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ }
45   {<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ }
46   {<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ }
47   {<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ }
48    {<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ }
49   {<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ }
50   {<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ }
51   {<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ }
52   {<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ }
53   {<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ }
54   {<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ }
55   {<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ }
56   {<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ }
57   {<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ }
58   {<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ }
59   {<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ }
60   {<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,= ““ }
61   {<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ ,<> ““ }
62   {<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,= ““ }
63   {<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ ,<> ““ }

it posted twice

Hi,

You are definitely making this way, way, way too complicated.  Here is my version, but I could make it shorter if I took the time: 

        Dim FirstApp = DropDownList1.SelectedValue
        Dim SecondApp = DropDownList3.SelectedValue
        Dim FirstInd = DropDownList2.SelectedValue

        Dim FilterList As List(Of String) = New List(Of String)
        If FirstApp <> "" Then
            FilterList.Add(String.Format("(First_Application = '{0}')", FirstApp))
        End If
        If SecondApp <> "" Then
            FilterList.Add(String.Format("(Second_Application = '{0}')", FirstApp))
        End If
        If FirstInd <> "" Then
            FilterList.Add(String.Format("(First_Industry = '{0}')", FirstApp))
        End If

        SqlDataSource1.FilterExpression = String.Join(" AND ", FilterList.ToArray())

  It's easier if you look at one expression at a time instead of all three (or six) at once :)

Regards,

 ~ mellamokb 

 Here is a shorter version, using six dropdownlists.  It should be pretty clear that you add to the list by adding to the FieldValueArray dictionary, where the key is the name of the field, and the value is what you are filtering for: 

        Dim FieldValueArray As Dictionary(Of String, String) = New Dictionary(Of String, String)
        FieldValueArray.Add("First_Application", DropDownList1.SelectedValue)
        FieldValueArray.Add("Second_Application", DropDownList2.SelectedValue)
        FieldValueArray.Add("First_Industry", DropDownList3.SelectedValue)
        FieldValueArray.Add("Second_Industry", DropDownList4.SelectedValue)
        FieldValueArray.Add("First_Whatever", DropDownList5.SelectedValue)
        FieldValueArray.Add("Second_Whatever", DropDownList6.SelectedValue)

        Dim FilterList As List(Of String) = New List(Of String)
        For Each key As String In FieldValueArray.Keys
            Dim value As String = FieldValueArray(key)
            If Not String.IsNullOrEmpty(value) Then
                FilterList.Add(String.Format("({0} = '{1}')", key, value))
            End If
        Next

        SqlDataSource1.FilterExpression = String.Join(" AND ", FilterList.ToArray())

 
Hope this helps!

~ mellamokb 

ok well i tried both of yours mellamokb and i get an error trying to use both

Exception Details: System.ArgumentException: Value does not fall within the expected range.

And what is the line number for that error message?  I tried both code snippets I gave you with my own dropdownlists, and the filter expression generated seems to be valid.  Is the code required to use FilterParameters in order to function?  If so, it should be pretty easy to make that modification.  Could you maybe post all of your code for this page?

Regards,

~ mellamokb

1    <script runat="server" type="text/vb">
2    sub Page_Load(Sender as object, e as eventargs)
3    	Dim Firstapp = DropDownList1.SelectedValue
4    	Dim Secondapp = DropDownList3.SelectedValue
5    	Dim FirstInd = DropDownList2.SelectedValue
6    		If Firstapp <> "" and SecondApp = "" and FirstInd = "" then
7    			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Clear()
8    			Dim cprFirstApp as new ControlParameter("First_Application", "DropDownList1", "SelectedValue")
9    			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Add(cprFirstApp)
10   			SqlDataSource1.FilterExpression = "(First_Application = '{0}')"
11   		End If
12   
13   		If Firstapp = "" and SecondApp <> "" and FirstInd = "" then
14   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Clear()
15   			Dim cprSecondApp as new ControlParameter("Second_Application", "DropDownList3", "SelectedValue")
16   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Add(cprSecondApp)
17   			SqlDataSource1.FilterExpression = "(Second_Application = '{0}')"
18   		End If
19   
20   		If Firstapp = "" and SecondApp = "" and FirstInd <> "" then
21   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Clear()
22   			Dim cprFirstIndustry as new ControlParameter("First_Industry", "DropDownList2", "SelectedValue")
23   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Add(cprFirstIndustry)
24   			SqlDataSource1.FilterExpression = "(First_Industry = '{0}')"
25   		End If
26   
27   		If Firstapp <> "" and SecondApp <> "" and FirstInd = "" Then
28   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Clear()
29   			Dim cprFirstApp as new ControlParameter("First_Application", "DropDownList1", "SelectedValue")
30   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Add(cprFirstApp)
31   			Dim cprSecondApp as new ControlParameter("Second_Application", "DropDownList3", "SelectedValue")
32   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Add(cprSecondApp)
33   			SqlDataSource1.FilterExpression = "(First_Application = '{0}') AND (Second_Application = '{1}')"
34   		End If
35   
36   		If Firstapp <> "" and SecondApp = "" and FirstInd <> "" Then
37   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Clear()
38   			Dim cprFirstApp as new ControlParameter("First_Application", "DropDownList1", "SelectedValue")
39   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Add(cprFirstApp)
40   			Dim cprFirstIndustry as new ControlParameter("First_Industry", "DropDownList2", "SelectedValue")
41   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Add(cprFirstIndustry)
42   			SqlDataSource1.FilterExpression = "(First_Application = '{0}') AND (First_Industry = '{1}')"
43   		End If
44   
45   		If Firstapp = "" and SecondApp <> "" and FirstInd <> "" Then
46   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Clear()
47   			Dim cprSecondApp as new ControlParameter("Second_Application", "DropDownList3", "SelectedValue")
48   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Add(cprSecondApp)
49   			Dim cprFirstIndustry as new ControlParameter("First_Industry", "DropDownList2", "SelectedValue")
50   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Add(cprFirstIndustry)
51   			SqlDataSource1.FilterExpression = "(Second_Application = '{0}') AND (First_Industry = '{1}')"
52   		End If
53   
54   		If Firstapp <> "" and SecondApp <> "" and FirstInd <> "" Then
55   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Clear()
56   			Dim cprFirstApp as new ControlParameter("First_Application", "DropDownList1", "SelectedValue")
57   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Add(cprFirstApp)
58   			Dim cprSecondApp as new ControlParameter("Second_Application", "DropDownList3", "SelectedValue")
59   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Add(cprSecondApp)
60   			Dim cprFirstIndustry as new ControlParameter("First_Industry", "DropDownList2", "SelectedValue")
61   			SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Add(cprFirstIndustry)
62   			SqlDataSource1.FilterExpression = "(First_Application = '{0}') AND (Second_Application = '{1}') AND (First_Industry = '{2}')"
63   		End If
64   End Sub
65   </script>
66   
67   Primary Application:<asp:DropDownList runat="server"
68   	id="DropDownList1"
69   	DataTextField="Applications"
70   	DataSourceId="dsAppddl"
71   	AppendDataBoundItems="True"
72   	AutoPostBack="True">
73   	<asp:ListItem Value="">Show All</asp:ListItem>
74   </asp:DropDownList> 
75   Secondary Application:<asp:DropDownList runat="server"
76   	id="DropDownList3"
77   	DataTextField="Applications"
78   	DataSourceId="dsAppddl"
79   	AppendDataBoundItems="True"
80   	AutoPostBack="True">
81   	<asp:ListItem Value="">Show All</asp:ListItem>
82   </asp:DropDownList>
83   Primary Industry:<asp:DropDownList runat="server"
84   	id="DropDownList2"
85   	DataTextField="Industries"
86   	AutoPostBack="true"
87   	DataSourceId="dsIndddl"
88   	AppendDataBoundItems="True">
89   	<asp:ListItem Value="">Show All</asp:ListItem>
90   </asp:DropDownList>
91   
92   <asp:GridView ID="GridView1"
93   	AllowSorting="True"
94   	AllowPaging="True"
95   	runat="server"
96   	DataSourceID="SqlDataSource1"
97   	DataKeyNames="Parent_Company_Name"
98   	AutoGenerateColumns="False"
99   	RowStyle-Font-Size="75%">
100              <RowStyle Font-Size="75%" />
101              <Columns>
102                <asp:boundfield DataField="Parent_Company_Name" HeaderText="Parent Company Name" ReadOnly="True" SortExpression="Parent_Company_Name">
103                  <ItemStyle VerticalAlign="Top" />
104                </asp:boundfield>
105                <asp:boundfield DataField="Sales_Person" HeaderText="Sales Person" SortExpression="Sales_Person">
106                  <ItemStyle VerticalAlign="Top" />
107                </asp:boundfield>
108                <asp:boundfield DataField="System_Partner_Level" HeaderText="System Partner Level" SortExpression="System_Partner_Level">
109                  <ItemStyle VerticalAlign="Top" />
110                </asp:boundfield>
111                <asp:boundfield DataField="First_Application" HeaderText="Primary Application" SortExpression="First_Application">
112                  <ItemStyle VerticalAlign="Top" />
113                </asp:boundfield>
114                <asp:boundfield DataField="Second_Application" HeaderText="Secondary Application" SortExpression="Second_Application">
115                  <ItemStyle VerticalAlign="Top" />
116                </asp:boundfield>
117                <asp:boundfield DataField="First_Industry" HeaderText="Primary Industry" SortExpression="First_Industry">
118                  <ItemStyle VerticalAlign="Top" />
119                </asp:boundfield>
120                <asp:hyperlinkfield DataNavigateUrlFields="Parent_Company_Name" DataNavigateUrlFormatString="viewcompany.aspx?CompName={0}" Text="View/Edit">
121                  <ItemStyle HorizontalAlign="Center" />
122                </asp:hyperlinkfield>
123              </Columns>
124              <EmptyDataTemplate>
125                <table cellspacing="0" rules="all" style="border-collapse:collapse;">
126                	<tr>
127                		<td class="ms-toolbar">Parent Company Name</td>
128                		<td class="ms-toolbar">Sales Person</td>
129                		<td class="ms-toolbar">System Partner Level</td>
130                		<td class="ms-toolbar">Primary Application</td>
131                		<td class="ms-toolbar">Secondary Application</td>
132                		<td class="ms-toolbar">Primary Industry</td>
133                	</tr>
134                	<tr>
135                		<td colspan="6" align="center" style="font-size:75%">No records to display.</td>
136                	</tr>
137                </table>
138              </EmptyDataTemplate>
139            </asp:GridView>
140            <br />
141              | 
142  			<asp:HyperLink ID="HyperLink1" Text="Add New Company" NavigateUrl="addcompany.aspx" runat="server"/> |
143            <asp:HyperLink ID="HyperLink2" Text="Upload Company Logo" NavigateUrl="/Sales/_layouts/Upload.aspx?List={F9A746AB-D565-4C11-A076-491748FD6FC9}" runat="server"/> |
144  
145            <asp:SqlDataSource ID="SqlDataSource1"
146              runat="server"
147              providerName="System.Data.OleDb"
148              EnableCaching="True"
149              ConnectionString="<%$ ConnectionStrings:SystemPartnerDatabase %>"
150              CacheDuration="20"
151              CacheExpirationPolicy="Absolute"
152              SelectCommand="SELECT [Parent_Company_Name], [Sales_Person], [System_Partner_Level],
153              				[First_Application], [Second_Application], [First_Industry],
154              				FROM [SYSTEM PARTNER DATABASE$] WHERE [Parent_Company_Name] IS NOT NULL">
155            <FilterParameters>
156              	<asp:ControlParameter ControlID="DropDownList1" PropertyName="SelectedValue" />
157            </FilterParameters>
158            </asp:SqlDataSource>
159  
160            <asp:SqlDataSource
161              runat="server"
162              id="dsAppddl"
163              providerName="System.Data.OleDb"
164              ConnectionString="<%$ ConnectionStrings:SystemPartnerDatabase %>"
165              SelectCommand="SELECT DISTINCT * FROM [applications]">
166            </asp:SqlDataSource>
167  
168            <asp:SqlDataSource
169              runat="server"
170              id="dsIndddl"
171              providerName="System.Data.OleDb"
172              ConnectionString="<%$ ConnectionStrings:SystemPartnerDatabase %>"
173              SelectCommand="SELECT DISTINCT * FROM [Industries]">
174            </asp:SqlDataSource>

Hi,

I noticed I had them in the order DropDownList1, DropDownList2, DropDownList3, whereas you had them in the order DropDownList1, DropDownList3, DropDownList2.  That might be where your exception came from.  Anyway, I have copied your code, and constructed some sample tables matching your data layout, and the following code worked perfectly for me using your source: 

            Dim FieldValueArray As Dictionary(Of String, String) = New Dictionary(Of String, String)
            Dim filterIndex As Integer = 0
            FieldValueArray.Add("First_Application", "DropDownList1")
            FieldValueArray.Add("Second_Application", "DropDownList3")
            FieldValueArray.Add("First_Industry", "DropDownList2")

            Dim FilterList As List(Of String) = New List(Of String)()
            Dim ddl As DropDownList
            For Each key As String In FieldValueArray.Keys
                Dim value As String = FieldValueArray(key)
                ddl = DirectCast(Page.FindControl(value), DropDownList)
                If Not String.IsNullOrEmpty(ddl.SelectedValue) Then
                    If filterIndex = 0 Then
                        SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Clear()
                    End If
                    Dim cpr As ControlParameter = New ControlParameter(key, ddl.ID, "SelectedValue")
                    SqlDataSource1.FilterParameters.Add(cpr)
                    FilterList.Add(String.Format("({0} = '{{{1}}}')", key, filterIndex.ToString()))
                    filterIndex += 1
                End If
            Next

            SqlDataSource1.FilterExpression = String.Join(" AND ", FilterList.ToArray())

 Please let me know how this works for you!

Regards,

~ mellamokb

im sry you can just stop trying to help if you want because it dont work

Exception Details: System.ArgumentException: Value does not fall within the expected range.

Source Error:

Stack Trace:

[ArgumentException: Value does not fall within the expected range.]
   System.Web.Hosting.VirtualPathProvider.GetFileWithCheck(String virtualPath) +11
   System.Web.FormatterWithFileInfo.GetSourceFileLines(String fileName, Encoding encoding, String sourceCode, Int32 lineNumber) +229
   System.Web.DynamicCompileErrorFormatter.get_MiscSectionContent() +926
   System.Web.ErrorFormatter.GetHtmlErrorMessage(Boolean dontShowSensitiveInfo) +818
   System.Web.HttpResponse.WriteErrorMessage(Exception e, Boolean dontShowSensitiveErrors) +645
   System.Web.HttpResponse.ReportRuntimeError(Exception e, Boolean canThrow, Boolean localExecute) +271
   System.Web.HttpRuntime.FinishRequest(HttpWorkerRequest wr, HttpContext context, Exception e) +338