GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS Roll forward (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill beginning balance	$ 3,025
Foreign currency translation impact	36
Goodwill arising from acquisitions	10	39
Goodwill ending balance	3,071
Life Sciences [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill beginning balance	347
Foreign currency translation impact	1
Goodwill arising from acquisitions	0
Goodwill ending balance	348
Chemical Analysis [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill beginning balance	756
Foreign currency translation impact	1
Goodwill arising from acquisitions	0
Goodwill ending balance	757
Diagnostics and Genomics [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill beginning balance	1,464
Foreign currency translation impact	65
Goodwill arising from acquisitions	11
Goodwill ending balance	1,540
Electronic Measurement [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill beginning balance	458
Foreign currency translation impact	(31)
Goodwill arising from acquisitions	(1)
Goodwill ending balance	$ 426