How can I split a string without VB Code?

I have several cells in a column which appear as follows (an abbreviated portion only):

FEIndex_0='499919'
To_6='TO FILE'
From_6='Wilson, Tom'
Location_6=''
Category_6=' '
SecurityLevelID_6='3'
Status_6='A'
VitalPeriod_6='0'
Subject_6='Change'

I would like to isolate the text to the left of the "=" sign. Because these are not fixed lengths I can't use a left, mid or right string function. When I use Crystal Reports, I use a function called split such as =split([variable],"=") [1] which takes the first portion of text before the "=" sign. I don't have that function in Excel. Without scripting is there a way to accomplish this?

Thanks!

Tom