Access allows you to use any of the built-in VBA functions.

SELECT Left(MyTableId, 1) AS LEFT_MY_TABLE_ID,
	Left(MyTableField, 5) AS LEFT_MY_TABLE_FIELD,
	Right(MyTableField, 2) AS RIGHT_MY_TABLE_FIELD,
	Mid(MyTableField, 3, 2) AS MID_MY_TABLE_FIELD
FROM MyTable
LEFT_MY_TABLE_ID LEFT_MY_TABLE_FIELD RIGHT_MY_TABLE_FIELD MID_MY_TABLE_FIELD
1 This t. is
2 Jimmy on mm
3 Capta po pt
4 Yo-ho m! -h
Code developed as an example on AspMessageboard.com by 27 Seconds, Inc. This code is available in a zip file.