If we want a ring of a string type we can use a combo box and if undefined items are not to be allowed it *could* behave as a regular ring (integer type) with no text editing/input, but that is not an option in LabVIEW now. Having such an option would allow us the keep the behaviour of multiple ring controls identical (and hence more intuitive to the users) although their types behind the scene for programmatic convenience are different.
If you want to keep the ring as a string (to not have to deal with it indirectly though the ring/enum string array property, which would be the current workaround...) you are currently forced to accept that the this ring will behave differently than other ring controls or enums:
In Microsoft applications the suggested feature is available by setting the style of the combo box to DropDropDownList.
