Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35741047&loc=d3e13816-109267

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13770-109266

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

Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	May 03, 2014	Jan. 25, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 493,189us-gaap_Goodwill	$ 493,189us-gaap_Goodwill	$ 495,496us-gaap_Goodwill
B&N Retail
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	219,119
B&N College
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 274,070