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Period the instrument, asset or liability is expected to be outstanding, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (e)

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- Definition

The estimated dividend rate (a percentage of the share price) to be paid (expected dividends) to holders of the underlying shares over the option's term.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (f)(2)(iii)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

Expected term of share-based compensation awards, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 14.D.2)

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

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-Subparagraph (f)(2)(i)

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 14

-Section D

-Subsection 2

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- Definition

The estimated measure of the percentage by which a share price is expected to fluctuate during a period. Volatility also may be defined as a probability-weighted measure of the dispersion of returns about the mean. The volatility of a share price is the standard deviation of the continuously compounded rates of return on the share over a specified period. That is the same as the standard deviation of the differences in the natural logarithms of the stock prices plus dividends, if any, over the period.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (f)(2)(ii)

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- Definition

The risk-free interest rate assumption that is used in valuing an option on its own shares.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (f)(2)(iv)

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Acquisitions - Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Calculate Fair Value of Stock Options Issued (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013
All 2014 Acquisitions, excluding Airwatch
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Expected term (in years)	2 years 6 months 20 days
Expected volatility	27.30%
Risk-free interest rate	0.70%
Dividend yield	1.70%
2012 Acquisitions, excluding Nicira
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Expected term (in years)		1 year 9 months 44 days
Expected volatility		31.60%
Risk-free interest rate		0.30%
All 2013 Acquisitions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Expected term (in years)			1 year 8 months 44 days
Expected volatility			26.40%
Risk-free interest rate			0.30%
Dividend yield			1.50%
VMware \| Nicira
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term		2 years 7 months 30 days
Expected volatility		35.70%
Risk-free interest rate		0.30%