Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2010	Apr. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2010
Financial results by reportable segment
Total net revenue	$ 1,848,000,000	$ 1,607,000,000	$ 3,258,000,000	$ 2,918,000,000
Total operating income from continuing operations	1,061,000,000	888,000,000	1,068,000,000	927,000,000
Unallocated corporate items:
Share-based compensation expense	(39,000,000)	(34,000,000)	(112,000,000)	(98,000,000)
Other common expenses	(138,000,000)	(122,000,000)	(403,000,000)	(357,000,000)
Amortization of acquired technology	(4,000,000)	(5,000,000)	(13,000,000)	(43,000,000)
Amortization of other acquired intangible assets	(11,000,000)	(10,000,000)	(33,000,000)	(31,000,000)
Total unallocated corporate items	(192,000,000)	(171,000,000)	(561,000,000)	(529,000,000)
Segment Information (Textuals)
Portion of international net revenue to consolidated net revenue	less than 5%	less than 5%	less than 5%	less than 5%
Financial Management Solutions [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	183,000,000	164,000,000	524,000,000	452,000,000
Total operating income from continuing operations	61,000,000	44,000,000	154,000,000	106,000,000
Employee Management Solutions [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	115,000,000	103,000,000	338,000,000	305,000,000
Total operating income from continuing operations	70,000,000	63,000,000	197,000,000	180,000,000
Payment Solutions [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	93,000,000	79,000,000	258,000,000	233,000,000
Total operating income from continuing operations	20,000,000	15,000,000	44,000,000	50,000,000
Consumer Tax [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	1,036,000,000	880,000,000	1,270,000,000	1,120,000,000
Total operating income from continuing operations	853,000,000	714,000,000	877,000,000	771,000,000
Accounting Professionals [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	225,000,000	205,000,000	372,000,000	351,000,000
Total operating income from continuing operations	187,000,000	167,000,000	241,000,000	229,000,000
Financial Services [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	89,000,000	85,000,000	254,000,000	247,000,000
Total operating income from continuing operations	20,000,000	18,000,000	57,000,000	57,000,000
Other Businesses [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	107,000,000	91,000,000	242,000,000	210,000,000
Total operating income from continuing operations	42,000,000	38,000,000	59,000,000	63,000,000
Reportable Segments [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Total operating income from continuing operations	$ 1,253,000,000	$ 1,059,000,000	$ 1,629,000,000	$ 1,456,000,000