Segment Information 1 (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Segment information
Revenue	$ 1,163		$ 1,195		$ 3,431		$ 3,492
Income before interest and income taxes	334		370		921		1,088
Reconciliation of segment profit to income before income taxes
Segment profit	334		370		921		1,088
Software development costs capitalized	(1)		(44)		(32)		(122)
Share-based compensation expense	23		18		64		62
Other (gains) expenses, net	9	[1]	0	[2]	134	[3]	2	[2]
Interest expense, net	15		12		39		33
Income before income taxes	319		358		882		1,055
Purchased Software Products [Member]
Reconciliation of segment profit to income before income taxes
Amortization of intangible ssets	29		26		88		80
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Reconciliation of segment profit to income before income taxes
Amortization of intangible ssets	19		14		48		41
Internally Developed Software Products [Member]
Reconciliation of segment profit to income before income taxes
Amortization of intangible ssets	43		40		126		117
Mainframe Solutions [Member]
Segment information
Revenue	622		622		1,865		1,869
Expenses	239		253		709		764
Income before interest and income taxes	383		369		1,156		1,105
Segment operating margin	62.00%		59.00%		62.00%		59.00%
Depreciation	13		14		39		46
Reconciliation of segment profit to income before income taxes
Segment profit	383		369		1,156		1,105
Enterprise Solutions [Member]
Segment information
Revenue	447		476		1,277		1,340
Expenses	378		425		1,105		1,191
Income before interest and income taxes	69		51		172		149
Segment operating margin	15.00%		11.00%		13.00%		11.00%
Depreciation	8		11		26		33
Reconciliation of segment profit to income before income taxes
Segment profit	69		51		172		149
Services [Member]
Segment information
Revenue	94		97		289		283
Expenses	90		93		268		269
Income before interest and income taxes	4		4		21		14
Segment operating margin	4.00%		4.00%		7.00%		5.00%
Depreciation	0		0		0		0
Reconciliation of segment profit to income before income taxes
Segment profit	4		4		21		14
Total Reportable Segments [Member]
Segment information
Revenue	1,163		1,195		3,431		3,492
Expenses	707		771		2,082		2,224
Income before interest and income taxes	456		424		1,349		1,268
Segment operating margin	39.00%		35.00%		39.00%		36.00%
Depreciation	21		25		65		79
Reconciliation of segment profit to income before income taxes
Segment profit	$ 456		$ 424		$ 1,349		$ 1,268

[1] Other (gains) expenses, net consists of approximately $12 million of costs associated with the Fiscal 2014 Plan, certain foreign exchange derivative hedging gains and losses, and other miscellaneous costs.

[2] Other (gains) expenses, net consists of certain foreign exchange derivative hedging gains and losses, and other miscellaneous costs.

[3] Other (gains) expenses, net consists of approximately $134 million of costs associated with the Fiscal 2014 Plan, certain foreign exchange derivative hedging gains and losses, and other miscellaneous costs.