How can I parse a date from a string of text

Your description of the issue is vague. If you provide a few examples, it would be helpful.

you can extract the date using vba codes.
is there only a single date in the memo field?

function getThedate(vMemo as string)
dim j as integer, varArr() as string
vararr=split(vMemo," ")

for j=0 to ubound(varArr)
     'check the format of the varArr(j)
     if Isdate(varArr(j)) then
        ' we found a date
        getTheDate=varArr(j)
        exit function
     end if
end function


next

oops, error there

function getThedate(vMemo as string)
dim j as integer, varArr() as string
vararr=split(vMemo," ")

for j=0 to ubound(varArr)
     'check the format of the varArr(j)
     if Isdate(varArr(j)) then
        ' we found a date
        getTheDate=varArr(j)
        exit function
     end if
next
end function

Ok.  So I have a field called [Material] and it contains notes.  Usually looks something like "material due 9/25/15, component due 10/16/15".  I want to parse the first date to use in query.  What I am ultimately trying to do is say "Ok, 9/25/15 is next week.  Here's what's do."  I used the instr function. ex: NewField: InStr(1,[Material],"/") and then I used the mid function. ex:DueDate: Mid([Material],[NewField]-2,8).

My problem is that the dates vary in length from 6 to 8 characters.  I was looking for an easier way to just grab the date.

Thank you Rey.  I'd like to be able to do this in a Query though.

Might I suggest an application change?  DO NOT EMBED DATES IN STRINGS.  In addition to being a violation of first normal form, it is noting but trouble to process.  Add a separate column to the table.  Parse the memo fields once.  Update the dates and change the interface so you never have to do this again.