GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS Roll forward (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Goodwill - Rollforward
Beginning Balance	$ 3,025	$ 1,567
Foreign currency translation impact	6	6
Goodwill arising from acquisitions	16	1,452
Ending Balance	3,047	3,025
Life Sciences and Diagnostics [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
goodwill transferred from one segment to other	4
Goodwill - Rollforward
Beginning Balance	1,807	363
Foreign currency translation impact	63	25
Goodwill arising from acquisitions	13	1,419
Ending Balance	1,883	1,807
Chemical Analysis [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
goodwill transferred from one segment to other	5
Goodwill - Rollforward
Beginning Balance	751	760
Foreign currency translation impact	(10)	(10)
Goodwill arising from acquisitions	4	1
Ending Balance	745	751
Electronic Measurement [Member]
Goodwill - Rollforward
Beginning Balance	467	444
Foreign currency translation impact	(47)	(9)
Goodwill arising from acquisitions	(1)	32
Ending Balance	$ 419	$ 467