drop-down list and tabs

[tachyon]

Is there a way of preventing a drop-down list from going to the next tab field without deleting the tab order - I want it to stay in the drop-down field so that I can set a variable to the newly selected value. I cannot use a pop up because I also need to record the current value of the field. If I delete the tabs it works but I would like to be able to tab to the next field as well - sort of have my cake an eat it situation - don't know how I turned on the italics or how to turn them off

cheers

Roger