Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Accounts Receivable, Net (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Trade accounts receivable	$ 495.4us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGross	$ 464.6us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGross
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts	(6.3)	(4.9)
Product returns reserve	(2.6)adsk_ProductReturnsReserve	(4.0)adsk_ProductReturnsReserve
Partner programs and other obligations	(27.6)adsk_OtherReserves	(32.0)adsk_OtherReserves
Accounts receivable, net	$ 458.9us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNet	$ 423.7us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNet

For an unclassified balance sheet, the amount due from customers or clients for goods or services that have been delivered or sold in the normal course of business, reduced to their estimated net realizable fair value by an allowance established by the entity of the amount it deems uncertain of collection.

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 3

-Article 5

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.9)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.5)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Name:	us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant