Auto-increment?

Is there a method to increment a value and have it return that value? 
I've been through the Badger Book but didn't quite see what I was 
needing though MACRO seemed close.  This is for a View for a Catalyst 
based application if that makes a difference.
I'm looking to accomplish something line this.

[% tabidx = 81 %]

<input name="DoIt"    tabindex="[% tabidx++ %]"
       type="submit" />
<input name="TryIt"   tabindex="[% tabidx++ %]"
       type="submit" />
<input name="IGiveUp" tabindex="[% tabidx++ %]"
       type="reset" />

It didn't work when I tried it.  I have ended up doing this. ( It just 
seems WRONG :-)
[% tabidx = 81 %]

<input name="DoIt"    tabindex="[% tabidx %]"
       type="submit" />
[% tabidx = tabidx + 1 %]
<input name="TryIt"   tabindex="[% tabidx %]"
       type="submit" />
[% tabidx = tabidx + 1 %]
<input name="IGiveUp" tabindex="[% tabidx %]"
       type="reset" />


TIA,
Rod
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