Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011 Years segments	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2010	Apr. 30, 2010	Jan. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009	Jul. 31, 2011 Years percentage segments	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2009
Financial results by reportable segment
Total net revenue	$ 593	$ 1,848	$ 878	$ 532	$ 537	$ 1,607	$ 837	$ 474	$ 3,851	$ 3,455	$ 3,109
Total operating income from continuing operations	(61)	1,061	111	(104)	(64)	888	139	(100)	1,007	863	683
Unallocated corporate items:
Amortization of acquired technology									(17)	(49)	(59)
Amortization of other acquired intangible assets									(44)	(42)	(42)
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment									(30)	0	0
Segment Information (Textuals)
Number of Reportable Segments	7								7
Maximum [Member] | International [Member]
Segment Information (Textuals)
International Total Net Revenue As A Percentage Of Total									5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Financial Management Solutions [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue									701	611	579
Total operating income from continuing operations									220	152	113
Employee Management Solutions [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue									457	418	365
Total operating income from continuing operations									271	253	208
Payment Solutions [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue									348	313	291
Total operating income from continuing operations									64	67	31
Consumer Tax [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue									1,298	1,146	996
Total operating income from continuing operations									850	746	629
Accounting Professionals [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue									399	373	352
Total operating income from continuing operations									228	210	186
Financial Services [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue									346	332	311
Total operating income from continuing operations									83	71	69
Other Businesses [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue									302	262	215
Total operating income from continuing operations									67	64	62
Reportable Segments [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Total operating income from continuing operations									1,783	1,563	1,298
Unallocated Amount to Segment [Member]
Unallocated corporate items:
Share-based compensation expense									(153)	(134)	(130)
Other common expenses									(532)	(475)	(384)
Amortization of acquired technology									(17)	(49)	(59)
Amortization of other acquired intangible assets									(44)	(42)	(42)
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment									(30)	0	0
Total unallocated corporate items									$ 776	$ 700	$ 615