Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012 Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank Litigation Plaintiff	Jun. 30, 2012 Legacy Tax Matters	Dec. 31, 2009 Legacy Tax Matters IMS Health And NMR 1993 - 1996	Jun. 30, 2012 Legacy Tax Matters 1989-1990 And 1993-1996	Oct. 31, 2009 King County, Washington and Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation Plaintiff
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss related to application for attorney's fees and costs			$ 4.95
Total compensatory damages value						811				70
Number of plaintiffs						15				2
Liabilities for 2000 Distribution Agreement and Liabilities for Legacy Tax Matters, liability for the remaining potential exposure including accrued interest			55.8
Proceeds from IMS Health, NMR arbitration settlements and New D&B for 50% of the anticipated future tax benefits through 2012							55.0	10.8
Liabilities for 2000 Distribution Agreement and Liabilities for Legacy Tax Matters, liability for the remaining potential exposure			53.8		52.6		53.7
Anticipated future tax benefits			50.00%
Reduction of interest expense		2.8		6.5
Reduction in interest expense, net of tax		1.7
Increase in other non-operating income		6.4
Legacy refund	0.9
Legacy refund, net	0.6
Benefit to net income related to the resolution of legacy tax matters								8.2
Reduction of tax expense				4.3
Liability for legacy tax matters									$ 2.1