Borrowings (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Notes Payable and Short-Term Borrowings
Current portion of long-term debt	$ 5,226	$ 5,744
Amount outstanding	5,979	6,647
Current portion of long-term debt, weighted average interest rate (as a percent)	2.80%	1.60%
Commercial paper
Notes Payable and Short-Term Borrowings
Short term borrowings	327	365
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)	0.40%	0.90%
Commercial paper | HPFS and its subsidiaries
Notes Payable and Short-Term Borrowings
Short term borrowings	327	365
Obligation related to notes payable to banks, lines of credit, uncommitted line of credit and other debt
Notes Payable and Short-Term Borrowings
Short term borrowings	426	538
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)	1.70%	2.30%
Obligation related to notes payable to banks, lines of credit, uncommitted line of credit and other debt | HPFS and its subsidiaries
Notes Payable and Short-Term Borrowings
Short term borrowings	$ 368	$ 465