In xl2k, you can group the sheets before you do edit|find. (Click on the first
and ctrl-click on subsequent--or right click on a worksheet tab and choose
select all sheets).
In xl2002+, you can specify "within workbook" under the options button on the
find dialog.
If you are simply searching for a TEXT string, try Edit > Find, and fill in
the window
If you want to access all rows of data containing your search criteria, you
might look at Data > Autofilter, or Data > AdvancedFilter..........once you
have a more specific requirement, either of these can be automated with a
Macro by Tools > Macro . Record Macro...........