Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 23, 2015	Jan. 24, 2014	Jan. 23, 2015	Jan. 24, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 4,318	$ 4,163	$ 12,957	$ 12,440
Costs and expenses:
Cost of products sold	1,128	1,050	3,375	3,162
Research and development expense	373	360	1,112	1,092
Selling, general, and administrative expense	1,487	1,454	4,500	4,308
Special (gains) charges	(138)	0	(38)	40
Restructuring (credits) charges, net	0	(15)	30	3
Certain litigation charges, net	0	0	0	24
Acquisition-related items	80	200	182	104
Amortization of intangible assets	89	89	265	263
Other expense, net	24	45	138	122
Interest expense, net	81	25	94	98
Total costs and expenses	3,124	3,208	9,658	9,216
Earnings before income taxes	1,194	955	3,299	3,224
Provision for income taxes	217	193	623	607
Net earnings	$ 977	$ 762	$ 2,676	$ 2,617
Basic earnings per share:
Net earnings (usd per share)	$ 0.99	$ 0.76	$ 2.71	$ 2.61
Diluted earnings per share:
Net earnings (usd per share)	$ 0.98	$ 0.75	$ 2.68	$ 2.58
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (shares)	983.8	998.3	986.6	1,002.7
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (shares)	995.8	1,010.0	998.5	1,014.0
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.305	$ 0.28	$ 0.915	$ 0.84