Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance as of at Apr. 24, 2009	$ 13,182	$ 112	$ 13,272	$ (202)
Balance (shares) as of at Apr. 24, 2009		1,119,000,000
Net earnings	3,099		3,099
OCI
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	68			68
Translation adjustment	181			181
Net change in retirement obligations	(214)			(214)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	(137)			(137)
Reclassification of other-than-temporary losses on marketable securities included in net income	0		3	(3)
Total comprehensive income	2,997
Dividends to shareholders	(907)		(907)
Issuance of common stock under stock purchase and award plans	165	1	164
Issuance of common stock under stock purchase and award plans, shares		5,000,000
Repurchase of common stock	(1,030)	(3)	(1,027)
Repurchase of common stock, shares		(27,000,000)
Tax benefit/(deficit) from exercise of stock-based awards	(3)		(3)
Stock-based compensation	225		225
Balance as of at Apr. 30, 2010	14,629	110	14,826	(307)
Balance (shares) as of at Apr. 30, 2010		1,097,000,000
Net earnings	3,096		3,096
OCI
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	226			226
Translation adjustment	200			200
Net change in retirement obligations	5			5
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	(348)			(348)
Total comprehensive income	3,179
Dividends to shareholders	(969)		(969)
Issuance of common stock under stock purchase and award plans	85		85
Issuance of common stock under stock purchase and award plans, shares		3,000,000
Repurchase of common stock	(1,140)	(3)	(1,137)
Repurchase of common stock, shares		(30,000,000)
Tax benefit/(deficit) from exercise of stock-based awards	(14)		(14)
Stock-based compensation	198		198
Balance as of at Apr. 29, 2011	15,968	107	16,085	(224)
Balance (shares) as of at Apr. 29, 2011	1,070,162,109	1,070,000,000
Net earnings	3,617		3,617
OCI
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	(66)			(66)
Translation adjustment	(137)			(137)
Net change in retirement obligations	(227)			(227)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	181			181
Total comprehensive income	3,368
Dividends to shareholders	(1,021)		(1,021)
Issuance of common stock under stock purchase and award plans	96		96
Issuance of common stock under stock purchase and award plans, shares		4,000,000
Repurchase of common stock	(1,440)	(3)	(1,437)
Repurchase of common stock, shares		(37,000,000)
Tax benefit/(deficit) from exercise of stock-based awards	(19)		(19)
Stock-based compensation	161		161
Balance as of at Apr. 27, 2012	$ 17,113	$ 104	$ 17,482	$ (473)
Balance (shares) as of at Apr. 27, 2012	1,037,194,934	1,037,000,000