Employee and Director Stock Plans - Summary of Restricted Stock Award and Restricted Stock Unit Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014		Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) and Performance Stock Units (PSUs)
Unreleased restricted stock
Unreleased restricted stock at January 31, 2012	5,020,800
Granted	4,077,100
Released	(2,146,100)
Canceled	(422,000)
Performance adjustment	(14,200)	[1]
Unreleased restricted stock at January 31, 2013	6,515,600		5,020,800
Weighted average grant date fair value
Unreleased restricted stock at January 31, 2012	$ 33.89
Granted	$ 42.37		$ 33.32	$ 37.07
Released	$ 34.37
Forfeited	$ 35.58
Performance adjustment	$ 35.95	[1]
Unreleased restricted stock at January 31, 2013	$ 39.15		$ 33.89
Performance Stock Units (PSUs)
Unreleased restricted stock
Granted	500,000
Unreleased restricted stock at January 31, 2013	800,000
Weighted average grant date fair value
Equity instruments other than options, percent of target	92.30%

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