Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2011
Domestic Line of Credit | New Revolving Credit Agreement
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 400.0
Line of credit facility, optional additional increase in capacity	100
Line of credit facility, expiration	May 2016
New Revolving Credit Agreement
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Event date	May 26, 2011
Event description	On May 26, 2011, Autodesk entered into a credit agreement that provides for a $400 million unsecured revolving credit facility, with an option to request an increase in the amount of the credit facility by up to an additional $100 million. In connection with the execution of the Credit Agreement, Autodesk and Citibank terminated the $250 million U.S. line of credit facility described in Note 13, “Borrowing Arrangements.”
Domestic Line of Credit | Terminate Revolving Credit Agreement
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	250.0
Domestic Line of Credit
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 250.0
Line of credit facility, expiration	August 2012