Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012 segments	Jan. 31, 2011	Jan. 31, 2012 segments	Jan. 31, 2011
Financial results by reportable segment
Total net revenue	$ 1,019	$ 878	$ 1,613	$ 1,410
Total operating income (loss)	192	111	98	7
Unallocated corporate items:
Amortization of acquired technology	(4)	(5)	(8)	(9)
Amortization of other acquired intangible assets	(10)	(11)	(31)	(22)
Number of Reportable Segments	7		7
Reportable Segments [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Total operating income (loss)	394	296	508	376
Financial Management Solutions [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	199	187	367	341
Total operating income (loss)	67	60	109	93
Employee Management Solutions [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	128	116	249	223
Total operating income (loss)	72	63	147	127
Payment Solutions [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	99	85	193	165
Total operating income (loss)	23	12	47	24
Consumer Tax [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	295	205	336	234
Total operating income (loss)	114	53	86	24
Accounting Professionals [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	131	122	158	147
Total operating income (loss)	81	70	67	54
Financial Services [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	92	84	181	165
Total operating income (loss)	25	22	43	37
Other Businesses [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	75	79	129	135
Total operating income (loss)	12	16	9	17
Unallocated Amount to Segment [Member]
Unallocated corporate items:
Share-based compensation expense	(43)	(38)	(83)	(73)
Other common expenses	(145)	(131)	(288)	(265)
Amortization of acquired technology	(4)	(5)	(8)	(9)
Amortization of other acquired intangible assets	(10)	(11)	(31)	(22)
Total unallocated corporate items	$ (202)	$ (185)	$ (410)	$ (369)
Maximum [Member] | Segment, Geographical, Groups of Countries, Group One [Member]
Unallocated corporate items:
International Total Net Revenue As A Percentage Of Total	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%