Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost, to be Settled with Cash

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	emc_
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- Definition

Amount expected to be recognized in earnings for the specified restructuring cost.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section P

-Subsection 3, 4

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Section S99

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-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.P.4(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

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-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140864-122747

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section P

-Subsection 3, 4

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- Definition

Carrying amount (including both current and noncurrent portions of the accrual) as of the balance sheet date pertaining to a specified type of cost associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring pursuant to a duly authorized plan.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section P

-Subsection 3, 4

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
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- Definition

Amount of consideration other than cash used to fully or partially settle an accrued restructuring cost.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section P

-Subsection 3, 4

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b)(2))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747

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Restructuring and Acquisition-Related Charges - Activity For Restructuring Program (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2015
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Charges/Adjustments to the Provision	$ 210us-gaap_RestructuringCharges	$ 139us-gaap_RestructuringCharges	$ 101us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
VMware
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	0	0
Charges/Adjustments to the Provision	18	54
Utilization		(54)
Ending Balance		0
VMware \| Workforce reductions
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		0
Charges/Adjustments to the Provision		54
Utilization		(54)
Ending Balance		0
VMware \| Consolidation of excess facilities and other contractual obligations
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		0
Charges/Adjustments to the Provision		0
Utilization		0
Ending Balance		0
VMware \| Restructuring 2014 Programs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	0
Charges/Adjustments to the Provision	18
Utilization	(10)
Ending Balance	8
VMware \| Restructuring 2014 Programs \| Workforce reductions
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	0
Charges/Adjustments to the Provision	18
Utilization	(10)
Ending Balance	8
VMware \| Restructuring 2014 Programs \| Consolidation of excess facilities and other contractual obligations
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	0
Charges/Adjustments to the Provision	0
Utilization	0
Ending Balance	0
EMC Information Infrastructure
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		91	80
Charges/Adjustments to the Provision		139	101
Utilization		(140)	(90)
Ending Balance		90	91
EMC Information Infrastructure \| Workforce reductions
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		63	50
Charges/Adjustments to the Provision		121	80
Utilization		(118)	(67)
Ending Balance		66	63
EMC Information Infrastructure \| Consolidation of excess facilities and other contractual obligations
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		28	30
Charges/Adjustments to the Provision		18	21
Utilization		(22)	(23)
Ending Balance		24	28
EMC Information Infrastructure \| Restructuring 2014 Programs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	0
Charges/Adjustments to the Provision	230
Utilization	(127)
Ending Balance	103
EMC Information Infrastructure \| Restructuring 2014 Programs \| Workforce reductions
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	0
Charges/Adjustments to the Provision	212
Utilization	(115)
Ending Balance	97
EMC Information Infrastructure \| Restructuring 2014 Programs \| Consolidation of excess facilities and other contractual obligations
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	0
Charges/Adjustments to the Provision	18
Utilization	(12)
Ending Balance	6
EMC Information Infrastructure \| Restructuring other programs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	90
Charges/Adjustments to the Provision	(20)
Utilization	(52)
Ending Balance	18
EMC Information Infrastructure \| Restructuring other programs \| Workforce reductions
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	66
Charges/Adjustments to the Provision	20
Utilization	(41)
Ending Balance	5
EMC Information Infrastructure \| Restructuring other programs \| Consolidation of excess facilities and other contractual obligations
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	24
Charges/Adjustments to the Provision	0
Utilization	(11)
Ending Balance	13
Subsequent Event \| Minimum
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost				130
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost, to be Settled with Cash				120
Subsequent Event \| Maximum
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost				150
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost, to be Settled with Cash				$ 140