I have IRR but not XIRR. IRR does not ask for the ending value of the cash
inputs, so it is not possible to determine the return. I know the value
today and I know the cash inputs over the 22 years--seems like there should
be a formula to determine return but I can't find it in Excel.

" wrote:

terry wrote:
I want the return % from uneven annual cash contributions over time (8
contributions in 22 years) that has resulted in a current value that is
greater than the contributions.

I infer that not only are the contributions themselves uneven, but also
the frequency of the contributions is irregular. In that case, XIRR
might be solution you are looking for.

If you have Excel 2003 (and perhaps some earlier revisions) and you
installed the Analysis ToolPak add-in, look at the Help page for XIRR.
If you have trouble adapting that function to your data, post back here
with details.

PS: If the frequency of the uneven contributions are regular -- or if
they can be made to seem regular, e.g. by assigning zero cash flows to
non-contribution periods -- you might want to look at IRR. In Excel
2003 (at least), that is a normal worksheet function, not an add-in.