When I use the JQuery UI autocomplete, I need to have the tab key populate the search box with the first item in the autocomplete results, include a space afterwards, an then allow the user to continue typing.
<div class="ui-widget">
<form id="searchbox" method="GET" action="http://duckduckgo.com/">
<input id="search" type="text" name="q">
<input id="submit" type="submit" value="Search">
</form>
</div>
<script>
var tabKey = 9;
$ ('#search').autocomplete({
source: [ 'this', 'that', 'foobar' ],
delay: 0,
selectFirst: true,
select: function(event, ui) { if (event.keyCode == tabKey) {
$ ('#search').focus().select();
} }
});
// without this, the tab key doesn't trigger an event
$ ('.ui-autocomplete').keypress(function(event) {});
</script>
In other words, in the example above, if someone typed “th”, they’d see “this” and “that” in the autocomplete choices. Hitting tab would add “this ” (note the space) to the input and focus would remain in the input.
Can someone give me a pointer as to what I’ve missed? I do not know Javascript very well, so small words are good 
And perhaps more useful info (jquery 1.7.2) from the HEAD section:
<script src="js/jquery-latest.js"></script>
<script src="js/jquery-ui-1.8.20.custom.min.js"></script>
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="css/jquery-ui-1.8.20.custom.css" />
Edit: It appears that autoFocus: true will get me partway there. Now if I can just figure out how to keep focus on the input box.
