Stock-based Compensation Expense Summary of Restricted Stock Award and Restricted Stock Unit Activity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
PerformanceSharesUnitsPayoutPercentage	92.30%
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Awarded	500,000
Forfeited	(14,000)	[1]
Unreleased restricted stocck at April 30, 2012	800,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Forfeited (in usd per share)	$ 35.94	[1]
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Unreleased restricted stock at January 31, 2012	5,020,800
Awarded	1,078,000
Released	(714,500)
Forfeited	(180,000)
Unreleased restricted stocck at April 30, 2012	5,190,300
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Unreleased restricted stock at January 31, 2012 (in usd per share)	$ 33.89
Awarded (in usd per share)	$ 41.58
Released (in usd per share)	$ 35.66
Forfeited (in usd per share)	$ 35.31
Unreleased restricted stock at April 30, 2012 (in usd per share)	$ 35.27

[1] Based on Autodesk financial results for the performance period, the fiscal 2013 performance stock units were earned at 92.3% of the target award. The fiscal 2013 performance stock units will pay out at 92.3% percent of the target award; however, the vesting of the performance stock units is subject to the holders satisfying the remaining service condition of the awards.