[header] How to calculate an irr in excel [title] Launch microsoft excel. [title] Create a new workbook and save it with a descriptive name. [title] Determine the projects or investments you will be analyzing and the future period to use. 
[substeps] For instance, assume that you have been asked to calculate an irr for 3 projects over a period of 5 years. [title] Prepare your spreadsheet by creating the column labels.