Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2012	Apr. 29, 2011	Apr. 30, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 605.4	$ 673.1	$ 400.4
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	293.1	165.6	166.0
Stock-based compensation	257.6	175.2	159.8
Accretion of discount and issuance costs on notes	52.9	53.1	50.8
Deferred income taxes	(60.9)	(26.3)	(11.3)
Tax benefit (charges) from stock-based compensation	107.5	128.5	(0.9)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(113.3)	(127.7)	(8.6)
Other non-cash items, net	(10.3)	14.8	9.7
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions of businesses:
Accounts receivable	(90.4)	(262.7)	(21.3)
Inventories	(16.5)	4.4	(52.1)
Other operating assets	(37.0)	6.0	(36.8)
Accounts payable	11.4	38.7	42.7
Accrued compensation and other current liabilities	(48.3)	118.8	53.2
Deferred revenue	506.4	382.9	176.7
Other operating liabilities	5.0	1.9	46.7
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,462.6	1,346.3	975.0
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments	(3,572.4)	(2,190.9)	(2,632.6)
Redemptions of investments	2,147.5	1,772.4	1,772.3
Purchases of property and equipment	(407.1)	(222.7)	(135.6)
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(480.0)	(136.5)	0
Other investing activities, net	1.6	0.5	8.2
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,310.4)	(777.2)	(987.7)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of common stock	142.1	324.2	197.1
Repurchase and retirement of common stock	(600.0)	0	0
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	113.3	127.7	8.6
Settlement of note hedge	0	0	14.2
Other financing activities, net	1.0	(1.0)	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(343.6)	450.9	219.9
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(16.1)	32.3	3.6
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(1,207.5)	1,052.3	210.8
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of year	2,757.3	1,705.0	1,494.2
End of year	$ 1,549.8	$ 2,757.3	$ 1,705.0