Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended
Jul. 29, 2011	Jul. 30, 2010
Operating Activities [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 821	$ 830
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities [Abstract]
Depreciation and amortization	211	187
Amortization of discount on senior convertible notes	21	43
Acquisition-related items	8	15
Provision for doubtful accounts	7	5
Deferred income taxes	11	(22)
Stock-based compensation	41	49
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, net	67	63
Inventories	(94)	(73)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(361)	(322)
Other operating assets and liabilities	383	30
Certain litigation charges, net
Certain litigation payments
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,115	805
Investing Activities [Abstract]
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(7)	(62)
Purchase of intellectual property	(1)
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(130)	(108)
Purchases of marketable securities	(2,023)	(1,747)
Sales and maturities of marketable securities	1,602	1,183
Other investing activities, net	(38)	(55)
Net cash used in investing activities	(597)	(789)
Financing Activities [Abstract]
Change in short-term borrowings, net	128	816
Payments on long-term debt		(2)
Dividends to shareholders	(257)	(245)
Issuance of common stock	32	25
Repurchase of common stock	(400)	(640)
Net cash used in financing activities	(497)	(46)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(10)	(6)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	11	(36)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,382	1,400
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1,393	1,364
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Income taxes paid	9	261
Interest paid	$ 30	$ 60

Amount related to material litigation reserves and gains recognized in the period in the statement of earnings. Excludes the amount of expense provided in the period for legal fees.

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Net amount related to material litigation paid or received in the period. Excludes amount paid in the period for legal fees.

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The following items are included within acquisition-related items: For business combinations prior to FY09, the amount of the purchase price that is allocated to in-process research and development (IPR&D) was expensed in the period acquired. Similarly, for transactions other than a business combination, such as asset acquisitions, IPR&D is expensed in the period acquired. Additionally, the change in the fair value of the contingent milestone consideration for the reporting period.

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The cash outflow to acquire assets without physical form usually arising from contractual or other legal rights, excluding goodwill, and to acquire purchased research and development assets in a transaction other than a business combination.

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The component of interest income or expense representing the periodic increase in or charge against earnings to reflect amortization of debt discounts and premiums over the life of the related debt instruments, which are liabilities of the entity.

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Includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Entity may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Compensating balance arrangements that do not legally restrict the withdrawal or usage of cash amounts may be reported as Cash and Cash Equivalents, while legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or company statements of intention with regard to particular deposits should not be reported as cash and cash equivalents.

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The net change between the beginning and ending balance of cash and cash equivalents.

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The component of income tax expense for the period representing the net change in the entity's deferred tax assets and liabilities pertaining to continuing operations.

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The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets.

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The effect of exchange rate changes on cash balances held in foreign currencies.

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The amount of cash paid during the current period to foreign, federal, state, and local authorities as taxes on income, net of any cash received during the current period as refunds for the overpayment of taxes.

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The net change during the reporting period of the sum of amounts due within one year (or one business cycle) from customers for the credit sale of goods and services; and from note holders for outstanding loans.

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The net change during the reporting period in the aggregate amount of obligations and expenses incurred but not paid.

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The net change during the reporting period in the aggregate value of all inventory held by the reporting entity, associated with underlying transactions that are classified as operating activities.

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For entities with classified balance sheets, the net change during the reporting period in the value of other assets or liabilities used in operating activities, that are not otherwise defined in the taxonomy. For entities with unclassified balance sheets, the net change during the reporting period in the value of all other assets or liabilities used in operating activities.

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The amount of cash paid during the current period for interest owed on money borrowed; includes amount of interest capitalized

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The net cash inflow (outflow) from financing activity for the period.

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The net cash inflow (outflow) from investing activity.

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The net cash from (used in) all of the entity's operating activities, including those of discontinued operations, of the reporting entity. Operating activities generally involve producing and delivering goods and providing services. Operating activity cash flows include transactions, adjustments, and changes in value that are not defined as investing or financing activities.

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The net cash from (used in) all of the entity's operating activities, including those of discontinued operations, of the reporting entity. Operating activities include all transactions and events that are not defined as investing or financing activities. Operating activities generally involve producing and delivering goods and providing services. Cash flows from operating activities are generally the cash effects of transactions and other events that enter into the determination of net income.

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The portion of consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent. If the entity does not present consolidated financial statements, the amount of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes.

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The net cash outflow (inflow) from other investing activities. This element is used when there is not a more specific and appropriate element in the taxonomy.

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The cash outflow to reacquire common stock during the period.

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The cash outflow from the distribution of an entity's earnings in the form of dividends to common shareholders.

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The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of a business, net of the cash acquired from the purchase.

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The cash outflow associated with the purchase of all investments (debt, security, other) during the period.

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The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale; includes cash outflows to pay for construction of self-constructed assets.

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The cash inflow from the issuance of common, preferred, and treasury stocks, stock options, and such forth.

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The net cash inflow (outflow) for borrowing having initial term of repayment within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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The cash inflow associated with the sale, maturity and collection of all investments such as debt, security and so forth during the period.

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Amount of the current period expense charged against operations, the offset which is generally to the allowance for doubtful accounts for the purpose of reducing receivables, including notes receivable, to an amount that approximates their net realizable value (the amount expected to be collected).

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The cash outflow for debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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The aggregate amount of noncash, equity-based employee remuneration. This may include the value of stock options, amortization of restricted stock, and adjustment for officers compensation. As noncash, this element is an add back when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method.

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