Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Expected Future Amortization Expense for Purcahsed Technologies, Customer Relationships and Trade Names (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2012
Expected Amortization Expense [Line Items]
2013	$ 65.7
2014	47.1
2015	25.5
2016	7.9
2017	1.0
Thereafter	1.6
Total	$ 148.8

Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Expected Future Amortization Expense for Purcahsed Technologies, Customer Relationships and Trade Names (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified

12 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Expected Amortization Expense [Line Items]

$ 65.7

47.1

25.5

7.9

1.0

1.6

$ 148.8

Name:	adsk_ExpectedAmortizationExpenseLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	adsk_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Future Amortization Expense, Thereafter

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	adsk_FutureAmortizationExpenseThereafter
Namespace Prefix:	adsk_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate estimated amortization expense for succeeding fiscal years for intangible assets subject to amortization.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph a(3)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6905858&loc=d3e16323-109275

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsFutureAmortizationExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during year five of the five succeeding fiscal years.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FutureAmortizationExpenseYearFive
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during year four of the five succeeding fiscal years.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FutureAmortizationExpenseYearFour
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during year one of the five succeeding fiscal years.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FutureAmortizationExpenseYearOne
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during year three of the five succeeding fiscal years.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FutureAmortizationExpenseYearThree
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during year two of the five succeeding fiscal years.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FutureAmortizationExpenseYearTwo
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration