Search text in multiple Excel files

Question

I'm using Microsoft Office 2007. How can I search inside multiple Excel files?

Answer 1

In Excel 2003 you had an extra search option in the file menu where you were able to search through files. I can't find this option in 2007 anymore so I think it's gone.

If your have Vista or Windows 7 you should be able to use window's integrated search. In older versions you could install a search app like Windows Desktop Search, Google Desktop Search, Copernic, ... they're all free to use.

Answer 2

Use IceTeaReplacer. It's freeware.

Search & Replace in .docx, .xlsx and .xls files

IceTeaReplacer is a simple, yet a powerful tool to search inside multiple Microsoft's Office Word 2007 (docx), Excel 2007 (xlsx) and Excel 2003 (xls) files within a directory (and it's subdirectories) and replace provided phrase. Supports UTF-8.

There is also a more powerful alternative with various features but it's a commercial one: ExcelPipe.

Answer 3

With the folder that houses the files open, press Ctrl+f to use the search box in the folder. Then search for

content:"my string to search for"

to search for that string in the files in the current directory.