Changes in Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 27, 2011		Jul. 28, 2010
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 3,182,466	[1]
Comprehensive income	225,121
Dividends	(155,081)		(143,726)
Stock options exercised, net of shares tendered for payment	50,720
Stock option expense	1,561
Restricted stock unit activity	4,817
Purchase of treasury stock	(86,740)		0
Other	27
Balance at end of year	3,222,891
Capital Stock [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	107,843
Conversion of preferred into common stock	(8)
Balance at end of year	107,835
Additional Capital [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	629,367
Stock options exercised, net of shares tendered for payment	(11,564)
Stock option expense	1,561
Restricted stock unit activity	3,941
Conversion of preferred into common stock	(539)
Other	(17)
Balance at end of year	622,749
Retained Earnings [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	7,264,678
Comprehensive income	226,114
Dividends	(155,081)
Other	(526)
Balance at end of year	7,335,185
Treasury Stock [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	(4,593,362)
Stock options exercised, net of shares tendered for payment	62,284
Restricted stock unit activity	876
Conversion of preferred into common stock	547
Purchase of treasury stock	(86,740)
Other	570
Balance at end of year	(4,615,825)
Accum OCI [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	(299,564)
Comprehensive income	(9,838)
Balance at end of year	(309,402)
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	73,504
Comprehensive income	8,845
Balance at end of year	$ 82,349

[1] The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America