I want to use a query that displays only the first two letters of the field. I tried using a substr function, but access does not recognize it as a function. Any suggestions???

Ther is a function called GetInitials I'm not sure if it's in help or was posted here, have a look, also don't put it in a query it's pointless, use it on a form or report in a calculated control.
HTH

Use the Left() function to get the first two characters.

Left(YourField,2)

Also look up Mid(), Right(), Instr(), and Len() in help for future reference for breaking fields into substrings.