--- title: Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Excel Template | Download description: Discounted cash flow (DCF) is a method used to estimate the value of an investment based on future cash flow. Click for more information. --- [![Carbon collective](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/CarbonCollective_August2021%20copy/images/carbon-collective-green-investing-logo-white.4f6047d4.svg "Carbon collective")](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/) - About - Employers - [Sustainable 401(k)](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k) - [401(k) Comparison Tool](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k/plan-comparison-tool) - Individuals - [FAQ](https://www.carboncollective.co/en/knowledge/faqs) - [ETF](https://www.carboncollectivefunds.com/) - Learn - [Sustainable Investing](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing) - [Investing Basics](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/investing-basics) - [Blog](https://blog.carboncollective.co/) - [Tools](https://tools.carboncollective.co/calculator/) - Log in - [Carbon Collective](https://app.carboncollective.co) - [Altruist](https://app.altruist.com) [Talk to a human](https://ask.carboncollective.co/f4o5dylkg) [Sign up](https://app.carboncollective.co/sign-up) [Log In](http://app.carboncollective.co/) [![Carbon collective](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/CarbonCollective_August2021%20copy/images/carbon-collective-green-investing-logo.53b28bee.svg "Carbon collective")](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/) - About - Employers - [Sustainable 401(k)](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k) - [401(k) Comparison Tool](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k/plan-comparison-tool) - Individuals - [FAQ](https://www.carboncollective.co/en/knowledge/faqs) - [ETF](https://www.carboncollectivefunds.com/) - Learn - [Sustainable Investing](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing) - [Investing Basics](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/investing-basics) - [Blog](https://blog.carboncollective.co/) - [Tools](https://tools.carboncollective.co/calculator/) - Log in - [Carbon Collective](https://app.carboncollective.co) - [Altruist](https://app.altruist.com) [Talk to a human](https://ask.carboncollective.co/f4o5dylkg) [Sign up](https://app.carboncollective.co/sign-up) [Log In](http://app.carboncollective.co/) **[Home](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/) > [Sustainable Investing](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/sustainable-investing) >** Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Excel Template # Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Excel Template ![](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/Brooke%20Tomasetti.png) Written by Brooke Tomasetti | Reviewed by [Subject Matter Experts](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/subject-matter-experts) Updated on October 1, 2024 Fact Checked Why Trust Carbon Collective? ### Table of Contents Discounted cash flow (DCF) is a method used to estimate the value of an investment based on future cash flow. The DCF formula allows you to determine the value of a company today, based on how much money it will likely generate at a future date. [Click here to download the DCF template](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/DCF-Template.xlsx) To do this, DCF finds the present value of future [cash flows](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/sustainable-investing/statement-of-cash-flows/) using a [discount rate](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/sustainable-investing/discount-rate/). Once you have the PV it can then be used to evaluate the investment to see whether it is a wise decision. [![Studying for work or school but haven't 100% set up your personal finances? Sign up to get the Sustainable Investing guide delivered to your inbox in bite-sized pieces.](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/20345524/59fd153f-397a-4680-8b36-9ded7575e6dc.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/20345524/59fd153f-397a-4680-8b36-9ded7575e6dc) ## FAQs ### 1. What is discounted cash flow? Discounted cash flow (DCF) is a method used to estimate the value of an investment based on future cash flow. The DCF formula allows you to determine the value of a company today, based on how much money it will likely generate at a future date. ### 2. How do you calculate discounted cash flows? The formula for DCF is: DCF = CF1 / 1 + r1 + CF2 / 1 + r2 + CFn / 1 + rn Where, CF = Cash Flow in year r= Discount Rate n= Number of Periods ### 3. Which cash flow is used in DCF? Discounted cash flow (DCF) calculates the value of a company based on future cash flows; therefore, all future cash flows must be taken into consideration. ### 4. Is discounted cash flow the same as Net Present Value? Net Present Value (NPV) calculates the value of the current cash flows the same as DCF; however, NPV goes further by taking inflation into consideration. ### 5.  Is it called discounted cash flow? The concept behind discounted cash flow is to determine the present value of future cash flows. This calculates how much something is worth right now, rather than looking at its future value. ### Related Topics - [Sustainable 401(k) Plan](https://www.carboncollective.co/401k) - [Sustainable Investing](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/) - [Investing Basics](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/investing-basics) - [Retirement Glossary](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/retirement-planning-glossary) - [Best Retirement Plans](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/the-10-best-retirement-plans) - [Wealth Manager Vs Financial Advisor](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/wealth-manager-vs.-financial-advisor) ![Attend Our Next Webinar](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/carbon-collective-green-investing-icon-webinar.12af7b6e.svg) ### Attend Our Next Webinar Join our next Sustainable Investing 101 webinar, get our favorite DIY options, and walk through how we build our portfolios. 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