1. I have a list of about 19,000 lines long, one column. The numbers all
start with a w or a c and are followed by 5 digits. I need to get the w or c
off of this column.

Assuming data in A2 down,
Place this in B2:
=IF(A2="","",SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(A2,"w",""),"c", "")+0)
Copy down. The "digits" results will be returned as real numbers. If you
want it retained as text numbers, remove the "+0" bit from the expression.

You could then freeze the values in col B with an "in-place" copy n paste
special as values. Then delete col A.

P/s: Stick to 1* query per posting. Make it attractive for responders to
respond.
*but you can always put in as many postings as you have queries
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Max
Singapore
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