Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Apr. 30, 2010	Jan. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009	Jul. 31, 2012 segments	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Financial results by reportable segment
Total net revenue	$ 651	$ 573	$ 1,926	$ 999	$ 575	$ 1,827	$ 857	$ 515	$ 4,151	$ 3,772	$ 3,403
Total operating income from continuing operations	(45)	(58)	1,111	195	(84)	1,067	122	(94)	1,177	1,037	904
Unallocated corporate items:
Amortization of acquired technology									(14)	(12)	(43)
Amortization of other acquired intangible assets									(39)	(43)	(42)
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment									0	(30)	0
Segment Information (Textuals)
Number of Reportable Segments									7
Financial Management Solutions [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue									691	622	559
Total operating income from continuing operations									265	243	188
Employee Management Solutions [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue									512	457	418
Total operating income from continuing operations									314	271	253
Payment Solutions [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue									417	348	313
Total operating income from continuing operations									107	64	67
Consumer Tax [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue									1,441	1,298	1,146
Total operating income from continuing operations									886	850	746
Accounting Professionals [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue									423	399	373
Total operating income from continuing operations									249	228	210
Financial Services [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue									362	346	332
Total operating income from continuing operations									86	83	71
Other Businesses [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue									305	302	262
Total operating income from continuing operations									68	67	64
Reportable Segments [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Total operating income from continuing operations									1,975	1,806	1,599
Unallocated Amount to Segment [Member]
Unallocated corporate items:
Share-based compensation expense									(169)	(153)	(134)
Other common expenses									(576)	(531)	(476)
Amortization of acquired technology									(14)	(12)	(43)
Amortization of other acquired intangible assets									(39)	(43)	(42)
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment									0	(30)	0
Total unallocated corporate items									$ 798	$ 769	$ 695
International [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Segment Information (Textuals)
International Total Net Revenue As A Percentage Of Total									5.00%	5.00%	5.00%