Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 1,249,775	$ 1,241,774
Adjustments:
Provision for transaction and loan losses	371,641	296,025
Depreciation and amortization	667,400	570,177
Stock-based compensation	345,932	287,832
Loss on divested business	256,501	0
Gain on acquisition on a business	(73,400)	0
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition effects	(526,435)	(504,053)
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,291,414	1,891,755
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment, net	(671,851)	(526,445)
Changes in principal loans receivable, net	(254,097)	(138,244)
Purchases of investments	(1,883,599)	(2,022,642)
Maturities and sales of investments	1,297,592	1,183,523
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(3,155,122)	(7,000)
Repayment of Skype note receivable	0	125,000
Other	(101,818)	(4,924)
Net cash used in investing activities	(4,768,895)	(1,390,732)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	187,720	118,852
Repurchases of common stock	(814,132)	(297,662)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	65,457	26,649
Tax witholdings related to net share settlements of restricted stock awards and units	(130,259)	(106,925)
Net borrowings under commercial paper program	700,000	0
Repayment of acquired debt	(199,271)	0
Funds receivable and customer accounts	(696,060)	(334,911)
Funds payable and amounts due to customers	696,060	334,911
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(190,485)	(259,086)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	89,505	(60,848)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(2,578,461)	181,089
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	5,577,411	3,999,818
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	2,998,950	4,180,907
Supplemental cash flow disclosures:
Cash paid for interest	14,288	0
Cash paid for income taxes	282,107	475,026
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Common stock options assumed pursuant to acquisition	24,762	0
Note receivable from divested business	$ 286,800	$ 0