Hi

1. replace all blank cells with a special character (hit F5 > Special > Blanks > OK. Now type | and hit Ctrl + Enter )
2. hit ctrl + H find what: abcdefg leave empty the filed 'Replace with'
3. repeat # 2 for other string
4. hit F5 > Special > Blanks > OK. Alt > H > D > R (XL 2007 later) or Menu key (between Windows key and Ctrl key) > D > R
5. hit ctrl + H > find what: | leave empty the filed 'Replace with'