Earnings Per Share (Computation Of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Apr. 29, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to Macy's, Inc. shareholders	$ 71	$ 116
Net income available to common stockholders, basic	71	116
Net income available to common stockholders, diluted	$ 71	$ 116
Basic earnings per share attributable to Macy's, Inc. shareholders	$ 0.23	$ 0.37
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Macy's, Inc. shareholders	$ 0.23	$ 0.37
Average number of shares issued, basic	305.0	309.7
Shares to be issued under deferred compensation and other plans	0.0	0.9
Average number of shares outstanding, basic	305.0	310.6
Effect of dilutive securities-stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units	1.9	2.9
Average number of shares outstanding, diluted	306.9	313.5

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of share based payment arrangements using the treasury stock method.

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The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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Net income after adjustments for dividends on preferred stock (declared in the period) and/or cumulative preferred stock (accumulated for the period).

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Net Income or Loss Available to Common Stockholders plus adjustments resulting from the assumption that dilutive convertible securities were converted, options or warrants were exercised, or that other shares were issued upon the satisfaction of certain conditions.

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The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

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Shares issuable for little or no cash consideration upon the satisfaction of certain conditions (contingently issuable shares) are considered outstanding common shares and included in the computation of basic Earnings Per Share as of the date that all necessary conditions have been satisfied (in essence, when issuance of the shares is no longer contingent). Outstanding common shares that are contingently returnable (that is, subject to recall) are treated in the same manner as contingently issuable shares. Contingently issuable shares include shares that (a) will be issued in the future upon the satisfaction of specified conditions, (b) have been placed in escrow and all or part must be returned if specified conditions are not met, or (c) have been issued but the holder must return all or part if specified conditions are not met. The number of contingently issuable shares is determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that these shares have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

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This element represents the weighted average total number of shares issued throughout the period including the first (beginning balance outstanding) and last (ending balance outstanding) day of the period before considering any reductions (for instance, shares held in treasury) to arrive at the weighted average number of shares outstanding. Weighted average relates to the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares have been issued and outstanding to the total time in that period. Such concept is used in determining the weighted average number of shares outstanding for purposes of calculating earnings per share (basic).

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Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

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