Retirement Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Retirement Benefit Plans	Retirement Benefit Plans Pretax Savings Plan Autodesk has a 401(k) plan that covers nearly all U.S. employees. Eligible employees may contribute up to 50% of their pretax salary, subject to limitations mandated by the Internal Revenue Service. Autodesk makes voluntary cash contributions and matches a portion of employee contributions in cash. Autodesk’s contributions were $8.1 million in fiscal 2014, $7.9 million in fiscal 2013 and $7.3 million in fiscal 2012. Autodesk does not allow participants to invest in Autodesk common stock through the 401(k) plan. Other Plans Autodesk provides certain defined benefit pension plans to employees primarily located in countries outside of the U.S. The Company deposits funds for specific plans, consistent with the requirements of local law, with insurance companies or third-party trustees, and accrues for the unfunded portion of the obligation, where material. The assumptions used in calculating the obligation for these plans depend on the local economic environment. The net liability related to the funded status of the plans was approximately $21.5 million and $24.0 million as of January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The projected benefit obligation was $62.2 million and $61.5 million as of January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The related fair value of plan assets was $40.7 million and $37.5 million as of January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Autodesk's practice is to fund the pension plans in amounts at least sufficient to meet the minimum requirements of local laws and regulations. The assets of the plans are primarily invested in high quality fixed income investments. Autodesk's contributions were approximately $6.0 million, $5.4 million and $4.2 million in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. As of January 31, 2014, Autodesk's estimated future benefit payments are an aggregate $11.4 million for fiscal 2015 through fiscal 2019 and an aggregate of $9.8 million for fiscal 2020 through fiscal 2024. Autodesk recorded $7.7 million and $13.1 million of unrealized changes in the unfunded portion of Autodesk’s defined benefit plans in fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013, respectively. Autodesk also provides defined contribution plans in certain foreign countries where required by statute. Autodesk’s funding policy for foreign defined contribution plans is consistent with the local requirements in each country. Autodesk’s contributions to these plans were $22.3 million in fiscal 2014, $21.5 million in fiscal 2013 and $20.4 million in fiscal 2012. In addition, Autodesk offers a non-qualified deferred compensation plan to certain key employees whereby they may defer a portion (or all) of their annual compensation until retirement or a different date specified by the employee in accordance with terms of the plan. See Note 6, “Deferred Compensation,” for further discussion.

Retirement Benefit Plans

Pretax Savings Plan

Autodesk has a 401(k) plan that covers nearly all U.S. employees. Eligible employees may contribute up to 50% of their pretax salary, subject to limitations mandated by the Internal Revenue Service. Autodesk makes voluntary cash contributions and matches a portion of employee contributions in cash. Autodesk’s contributions were $8.1 million in fiscal 2014, $7.9 million in fiscal 2013 and $7.3 million in fiscal 2012. Autodesk does not allow participants to invest in Autodesk common stock through the 401(k) plan.

Other Plans

Autodesk provides certain defined benefit pension plans to employees primarily located in countries outside of the U.S. The Company deposits funds for specific plans, consistent with the requirements of local law, with insurance companies or third-party trustees, and accrues for the unfunded portion of the obligation, where material. The assumptions used in calculating the obligation for these plans depend on the local economic environment. The net liability related to the funded status of the plans was approximately $21.5 million and $24.0 million as of January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The projected benefit obligation was $62.2 million and $61.5 million as of January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The related fair value of plan assets was $40.7 million and $37.5 million as of January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Autodesk's practice is to fund the pension plans in amounts at least sufficient to meet the minimum requirements of local laws and regulations. The assets of the plans are primarily invested in high quality fixed income investments. Autodesk's contributions were approximately $6.0 million, $5.4 million and $4.2 million in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. As of January 31, 2014, Autodesk's estimated future benefit payments are an aggregate $11.4 million for fiscal 2015 through fiscal 2019 and an aggregate of $9.8 million for fiscal 2020 through fiscal 2024. Autodesk recorded $7.7 million and $13.1 million of unrealized changes in the unfunded portion of Autodesk’s defined benefit plans in fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013, respectively.

Autodesk also provides defined contribution plans in certain foreign countries where required by statute. Autodesk’s funding policy for foreign defined contribution plans is consistent with the local requirements in each country. Autodesk’s contributions to these plans were $22.3 million in fiscal 2014, $21.5 million in fiscal 2013 and $20.4 million in fiscal 2012.

In addition, Autodesk offers a non-qualified deferred compensation plan to certain key employees whereby they may defer a portion (or all) of their annual compensation until retirement or a different date specified by the employee in accordance with terms of the plan. See Note 6, “Deferred Compensation,” for further discussion.