Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013 Segment	Oct. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Reportable Segments	3
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	$ 622	$ 562
Operating income	(77)	(73)
Unallocated corporate items:
Share-based compensation expense	(47)	(46)
Amortization of acquired technology	(6)	(4)
Amortization of other acquired intangible assets	(4)	(7)
Maximum [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
International Total Net Revenue As A Percentage Of Total	5.00%	5.00%
Operating Segments [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Operating income	157	137
Small Business Segment [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	520	469
Operating income	190	165
Small Business Segment [Member] | Small Business Financial Solutions [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	316	291
Small Business Segment [Member] | Small Business Management Solutions [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	189	164
Small Business Segment [Member] | Accountant and Advisor [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	15	14
Consumer Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Product Lines	2
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	77	72
Operating income	(24)	(17)
Consumer Segment [Member] | Consumer Tax [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	42	38
Consumer Segment [Member] | Consumer Ecosystem [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	35	34
Professional Tax Segment [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	25	21
Operating income	(9)	(11)
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Unallocated corporate items:
Share-based compensation expense	(47)	(46)
Other common expenses	(177)	(153)
Amortization of acquired technology	(6)	(4)
Amortization of other acquired intangible assets	(4)	(7)
Total unallocated corporate items	$ (234)	$ (210)