Employees' Stock Incentive Plans and Management Incentive Plans 4 (Details) (USD $) Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2012 Y	Apr. 27, 2011	Apr. 28, 2010
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding	8,608
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Life (in years)	4.2
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Exercise Price	$ 45.69
Options Exercisable, Number Exercisable	4,418
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Life (in years)	3.1
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 43.90
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	$ 82,714,000	$ 154,774,000	$ 67,369,000
Tax Benefit from Stock Options Exercised	$ 15,100,000	$ 21,000,000	$ 9,300,000
$29.70 - $34.00 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Lower Range of Exercise Price Per Share	$ 29.70
Upper Range of Exercise Price Per Share	$ 34.00
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding	495
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Life (in years)	1.1
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Exercise Price	$ 33.44
Options Exercisable, Number Exercisable	492
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Life (in years)	1.1
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 33.45
$34.01 - $42.42 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Lower Range of Exercise Price Per Share	$ 34.01
Upper Range of Exercise Price Per Share	$ 42.42
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding	2,087
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Life (in years)	3.8
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Exercise Price	$ 38.92
Options Exercisable, Number Exercisable	1,211
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Life (in years)	3.5
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 38.82
$42.43 - $52.19 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Lower Range of Exercise Price Per Share	$ 42.43
Upper Range of Exercise Price Per Share	$ 52.19
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding	6,026
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Life (in years)	4.5
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Exercise Price	$ 49.04
Options Exercisable, Number Exercisable	2,715
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Life (in years)	3.2
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 48.05