Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2013 segments	Jan. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Reportable Segments			7
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	$ 968	$ 999	$ 1,615	$ 1,574
Operating income	93	195	24	111
Unallocated corporate items:
Amortization of acquired technology	(6)	(3)	(11)	(6)
Amortization of other acquired intangible assets	(7)	(10)	(14)	(31)
Reportable Segments [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Operating income	310	396	459	519
Financial Management Solutions [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	208	179	388	328
Operating income	75	69	133	120
Employee Management Solutions [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	144	128	279	249
Operating income	85	72	170	147
Payment Solutions [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	117	99	231	193
Operating income	24	23	46	47
Consumer Tax [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	216	295	252	336
Operating income	24	114	(3)	86
Accounting Professionals [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	123	131	155	158
Operating income	72	81	62	67
Financial Services [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	93	92	186	181
Operating income	20	25	35	43
Other Businesses [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	67	75	124	129
Operating income	10	12	16	9
Unallocated Amount to Segment [Member]
Unallocated corporate items:
Share-based compensation expense	(47)	(43)	(96)	(83)
Other common expenses	(157)	(145)	(314)	(288)
Amortization of acquired technology	(6)	(3)	(11)	(6)
Amortization of other acquired intangible assets	(7)	(10)	(14)	(31)
Total unallocated corporate items	$ (217)	$ (201)	$ (435)	$ (408)
Maximum [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
International Total Net Revenue As A Percentage Of Total	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%