Goodwill and intangible assets (Details) - Schedule of indefinite-lived intangible assets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	$ 28,036		$ 28,478
Accumulated Amortization	(20,914)		(20,370)
Net	7,122us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet		8,108us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet
Amortization expense	(859)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets	(928)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
Amortization expense	(859)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets	(928)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
Life Sciences [Member]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	28,036		28,478
Accumulated Amortization	(20,914)		(20,370)
Net	7,122		8,108
Amortization expense	(859)
Amortization expense	(859)
Foreign currency translation	(442)
Foreign currency translation	315
Foreign currency translation	$ (127)

The amount of finite lived intangible assets amortization of translation adjustments.

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of finite lived intangible assets translation adjustments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	enz_
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- Definition

The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388964&loc=d3e16225-109274

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275

+ Details

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- Definition

Accumulated amount of amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount before amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount after amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) to assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life for foreign currency translation adjustments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Details

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- Details

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