private void PrepareNewEntry() { ObservableCollection <FlaggedPersonViewModel> currentItemsSource = (ObservableCollection <FlaggedPersonViewModel>)FlaggedPersonDataGrid.ItemsSource; FlaggedPersonViewModel newEntry = new FlaggedPersonViewModel() { FirstName = "{First Name}", LastName = "{Last Name}", Narrative = "{Narrative}", DateModified = System.DateTime.Today }; currentItemsSource.Add(newEntry); DataGridCell lastNameCell = GridNavigator.GetCellByItem(FlaggedPersonDataGrid, newEntry, 0); lastNameCell.Focus(); lastNameCell.IsEditing = true; }