Segment and Geographic Information 1 (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
Segment information
Revenue	$ 4,515		$ 4,610		$ 4,779
Income from continuing operations before interest and income taxes	1,093		1,337		1,365
Depreciation	84		104		111
Reconciliation of segment profit to income from continuing operations before income taxes
Segment profit	1,093		1,337		1,365
Software development costs capitalized	(33)		(161)		(171)
Share-based compensation expense	82		78		89
Other (gains) expenses, net	173	[1]	0		1	[2]
Interest expense, net	54		44		35
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	1,039		1,293		1,330
Purchased Software Products [Member]
Reconciliation of segment profit to income from continuing operations before income taxes
Amortization of intangible assets	117		163	[3]	103
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Reconciliation of segment profit to income from continuing operations before income taxes
Amortization of intangible assets	60		54		65
Internally Developed Software Products [Member]
Reconciliation of segment profit to income from continuing operations before income taxes
Amortization of intangible assets	165		154		120
Mainframe Solutions [Member]
Segment information
Revenue	2,478		2,489		2,612
Expenses	987		1,028		1,157
Income from continuing operations before interest and income taxes	1,491		1,461		1,455
Segment operating margin	60.00%		59.00%		56.00%
Depreciation	50		61		67
Reconciliation of segment profit to income from continuing operations before income taxes
Segment profit	1,491		1,461		1,455
Enterprise Solutions [Member]
Segment information
Revenue	1,658		1,739		1,785
Expenses	1,514		1,599		1,691
Income from continuing operations before interest and income taxes	144		140		94
Segment operating margin	9.00%		8.00%		5.00%
Depreciation	34		43		44
Reconciliation of segment profit to income from continuing operations before income taxes
Segment profit	144		140		94
Services [Member]
Segment information
Revenue	379		382		382
Expenses	357		358		359
Income from continuing operations before interest and income taxes	22		24		23
Segment operating margin	6.00%		6.00%		6.00%
Depreciation	0		0		0
Reconciliation of segment profit to income from continuing operations before income taxes
Segment profit	22		24		23
Total Reportable Segments [Member]
Segment information
Revenue	4,515		4,610		4,779
Expenses	2,858		2,985		3,207
Income from continuing operations before interest and income taxes	1,657		1,625		1,572
Segment operating margin	37.00%		35.00%		33.00%
Depreciation	84		104		111
Reconciliation of segment profit to income from continuing operations before income taxes
Segment profit	$ 1,657		$ 1,625		$ 1,572

[1] Other (gains) expenses, net consists of approximately $171 million of costs associated with the Fiscal 2014 Plan and other miscellaneous costs.

[2] Other (gains) expenses, net includes miscellaneous costs.

[3] Amount includes impairment recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013 of approximately $55 million relating to purchased software (see Note 6, “Long Lived Assets,” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information).