Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Goodwill balance by business segment) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017
Goodwill Information
Goodwill acquired during the period which is deductible for tax purposes		$ 6,000,000
Goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 9,166,000,000	9,166,000,000
Acquisition activity		6,000,000
Divestiture activity		(276,000,000)
Translation and other		325,000,000
Balance at the end of the period		9,221,000,000
Amount of Goodwill impairment	0
Industrial
Goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	2,536,000,000	2,536,000,000
Translation and other		128,000,000
Balance at the end of the period		2,664,000,000
Safety and Graphics
Goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	3,324,000,000	3,324,000,000
Divestiture activity		(276,000,000)
Translation and other		98,000,000
Balance at the end of the period		3,146,000,000
Health Care
Goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	1,609,000,000	1,609,000,000
Acquisition activity		6,000,000
Translation and other		59,000,000
Balance at the end of the period		1,674,000,000
Electronics and Energy
Goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	1,489,000,000	1,489,000,000
Translation and other		37,000,000
Balance at the end of the period		1,526,000,000
Consumer
Goodwill
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 208,000,000	208,000,000
Translation and other		3,000,000
Balance at the end of the period		$ 211,000,000