//The function to bind the database data to your CheckBoxList Control protected void bindYourList() { SqlConnection objConn = new SqlConnection(System.Configuration.ConfigurationSettings.AppSettings["SqlServer"]); SqlCommand objCmd = new SqlCommand("select description, id from notificationLists", objConn); objConn.Open(); cblList.DataSource = objCmd.ExecuteReader(CommandBehavior.CloseConnection); cblList.DataBind(); } //In the Page_Load function call your behind method. bindYourList(); //in your aspx page make sure to declare your CheckBoxList and define the DataTextField and DataValueField parameters.