So I wanted the functionality of a list box but wanted more control over its appearance. So along comes this post by John Witherspoon

http://community.qlikview.com/message/119349#119349

I agree that this should probably only used in limited situations but in my case I just wanted a simple selection of year and period.

Basically create straight chart with no expression

Then use the Background Color of the Dimension with a formula

=if(len(Employee),rgb(80,80,80),black())

To determine the color

Same with the Text Color

And text format

=if(len(Employee),'<b>’)