Schedule I - Condensed Statements of Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expenses									$ 1,011	$ 815	$ 781
Merger related costs									87
Income (loss) from operations	$ 144	$ 168	$ 151	$ 179	$ 178	$ 166	$ 159	$ 143	642	646	590
Interest income									(4)	(4)	(4)
Other expense, net									(8)	2	(8)
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated affiliates									479	539	501
Income tax benefit									345	159	149
Net income attributable to Quintiles IMS Holdings, Inc.	$ (178)	$ 99	$ 87	$ 107	$ 105	$ 110	$ 85	$ 87	115	387	357
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expenses										1	2
Merger related costs									21
Income (loss) from operations									(21)	(1)	(2)
Interest income									0	0	0
Other expense, net									0	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated affiliates									(21)	(1)	(2)
Income tax benefit									(4)	(1)	(1)
Loss before equity in earnings of subsidiary									(17)		(1)
Equity in earnings of subsidiary									132	387	357
Net income attributable to Quintiles IMS Holdings, Inc.									$ 115	$ 387	$ 356