The fair value, at acquisition date, of the consideration transferred in a business combination. [Refer: Business combinations [member]]

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 3
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph B64
-Subparagraph f
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=3&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_B64_f&doctype=Appendix&subtype=B
-URIDate 2019-03-27

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_AcquisitiondateFairValueOfTotalConsiderationTransferred
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of additional goodwill recognised, except goodwill included in a disposal group that, on acquisition, meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale in accordance with IFRS 5. [Refer: Goodwill; Disposal groups classified as held for sale [member]]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 3
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph B67
-Subparagraph d
-Clause ii
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=3&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_B67_d_ii&doctype=Appendix&subtype=B
-URIDate 2019-03-27

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_AdditionalRecognitionGoodwill
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of contingent liabilities recognised as of the acquisition date in a business combination. [Refer: Contingent liabilities [member]; Business combinations [member]]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 3
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph B64
-Subparagraph i
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=3&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_B64_i&doctype=Appendix&subtype=B
-URIDate 2019-03-27

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 3
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph IE72
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=3&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_IE72&doctype=Illustrative%20Examples
-URIDate 2019-03-27

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_ContingentLiabilitiesRecognisedAsOfAcquisitionDate
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of deferred tax liabilities or assets. [Refer: Deferred tax liabilities; Deferred tax assets]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 12
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 81
-Subparagraph g
-Clause i
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=12&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_81_g_i&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_DeferredTaxLiabilityAsset
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes of the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_DisclosureOfBusinessCombinationsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount recognised as of the acquisition date for net identifiable assets acquired or liabilities assumed in a business combination. [Refer: Business combinations [member]]

+ References

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_IdentifiableAssetsAcquiredLiabilitiesAssumed
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of identifiable non-monetary assets without physical substance. This amount does not include goodwill. [Refer: Goodwill]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 38
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 118
-Subparagraph e
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=38&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_118_e&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 54
-Subparagraph c
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_54_c&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_IntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The portion of consideration paid or received, consisting of cash and cash equivalents, in respect of both obtaining and losing control of subsidiaries or other businesses. [Refer: Subsidiaries [member]; Cash and cash equivalents; Consideration paid (received)]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 7
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 40
-Subparagraph b
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=7&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_40_b&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_PortionOfConsiderationPaidReceivedConsistingOfCashAndCashEquivalents
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nvs_OtherNetAssets
Namespace Prefix:	nvs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	ifrs-full_ContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=ifrs-full_DiscontinuedOperationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=nvs_PowerVisionInc.Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	ifrs-full_SegmentsAxis=nvs_AlconMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Discontinued operations (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended
Discontinued operations (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]
Identifiable assets acquired (liabilities assumed)		$ 10,030		$ 486
Intangible assets other than goodwill		$ 36,669	$ 28,787
Discontinued operations \| PowerVision, Inc. \| Alcon [member]
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]
Consideration transferred, acquisition-date fair value	$ 424
Portion of consideration paid (received) consisting of cash and cash equivalents	(289)
Contingent liabilities recognised as of acquisition date	135
Identifiable assets acquired (liabilities assumed)	418
Additional recognition, goodwill	6
Other net assets	6
Deferred tax liability (asset)	93
Intangible assets other than goodwill	$ 505