Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014 Segment	Jan. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Reportable Segments			3
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	$ 782	$ 884	$ 1,404	$ 1,446
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	(46)	84	(123)	11
Unallocated corporate items:
Share-based compensation expense	(52)	(44)	(99)	(90)
Amortization of acquired technology	(6)	(5)	(12)	(9)
Amortization of other acquired intangible assets	(5)	(7)	(9)	(14)
Operating Segments [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	185	294	342	431
Small Business Segment [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	560	518	1,080	987
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	197	190	387	355
Small Business Segment [Member] | Small Business Financial Solutions [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	340	323	656	614
Small Business Segment [Member] | Small Business Management Solutions [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	202	175	391	339
Small Business Segment [Member] | Accountant and Advisor [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	18	20	33	34
Consumer Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Product Lines	2		2
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	187	259	264	331
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	(3)	38	(27)	21
Consumer Segment [Member] | Consumer Tax [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	138	216	180	254
Consumer Segment [Member] | Consumer Ecosystem [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	49	43	84	77
Professional Tax Segment [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	35	107	60	128
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations	(9)	66	(18)	55
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Unallocated corporate items:
Share-based compensation expense	(52)	(44)	(99)	(90)
Other common expenses	(168)	(154)	(345)	(307)
Amortization of acquired technology	(6)	(5)	(12)	(9)
Amortization of other acquired intangible assets	(5)	(7)	(9)	(14)
Total unallocated corporate items	$ (231)	$ (210)	$ (465)	$ (420)
Maximum [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
International Total Net Revenue As A Percentage Of Total	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%