InfoPath Dev

I am trying to filter a ddl and set the default value based on a value in the form at loading.  The values in the ddl come from an xml file.  I've got the filtering working except that there is always an extra empty item in the list. On first starting there is even the number 2 in the list for some reason - this disappears once I select an item.  How can I set the default display value and get rid of the extra blank item?

Thanks in advance

We cannot remove the blank value in the drop down list. And the default value will be appeared in the drop down until you select a value in the drop down. If you want to show a value in the drop down when the user selects blank value then add a rule to the drop down list to set the drop down list value to some value with the condition as drop down list is blank.