Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified																		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015 Notes Due 2019 [Member]	Feb. 28, 2015 Notes Due 2021 [Member]		Feb. 28, 2015 Notes Due 2024 [Member]		Feb. 28, 2015 Notes Due 2034 [Member]		Feb. 28, 2015 Notes Due 2044 [Member]		Feb. 28, 2015 Notes Due 2026 [Member]		Feb. 28, 2015 Notes Due 2020 [Member]		Feb. 28, 2015 Notes Due 2025 [Member]		Feb. 28, 2015 Walgreens Boots Alliance [Member] USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2015 Walgreens Boots Alliance [Member] GBP (£)	Feb. 28, 2015 Walgreens Boots Alliance [Member] Notes Due 2016 [Member] USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2015 Walgreens Boots Alliance [Member] Notes Due 2017 [Member] USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2015 Walgreens Boots Alliance [Member] Notes Due 2019 [Member] USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2015 Walgreens Boots Alliance [Member] Notes Due 2021 [Member] USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2015 Walgreens Boots Alliance [Member] Notes Due 2024 [Member] USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2015 Walgreens Boots Alliance [Member] Notes Due 2034 [Member] USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2015 Walgreens Boots Alliance [Member] Notes Due 2044 [Member] USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2015 Walgreens Boots Alliance [Member] Notes Due 2026 [Member] EUR (€)	Feb. 28, 2015 Walgreens Boots Alliance [Member] Notes Due 2020 [Member] GBP (£)	Feb. 28, 2015 Walgreens Boots Alliance [Member] Notes Due 2025 [Member] GBP (£)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Increased ownership percentage of Alliance Boots (in hundredths)																100.00%	100.00%
Maximum aggregate outstanding amount of indebtedness																$ 2,000
Face amount of notes issued																$ 36,739	£ 700	$ 750	$ 750	$ 1,250	$ 1,250	$ 2,000	$ 500	$ 1,500	€ 750	£ 400	£ 300
Maturity date of note																		May 18, 2016	Nov. 17, 2017	Nov. 18, 2019	Nov. 18, 2021	Nov. 18, 2024	Nov. 18, 2034	Nov. 18, 2044	Nov. 20, 2026	Nov. 20, 2020	Nov. 20, 2025
Basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)																		0.045%
Debt instrument, description of variable rate basis																		three-month U.S. dollar LIBOR, reset quarterly
Stated interest rate (in hundredths)	2.70%	3.30%	[1]	3.80%	[1]	4.50%	[1]	4.80%	[1]	2.125%	[1],[2]	2.875%	[1],[3]	3.60%	[1],[3]				1.75%	2.70%	3.30%	3.80%	4.50%	4.80%	2.125%	2.875%	3.60%

[1] All notes are presented net of unamortized discount, where applicable.

[2] Euro denominated notes are translated at the February 28, 2015 spot rate of $1.12 to one Euro.

[3] Pound Sterling denominated notes are translated at the February 28, 2015 spot rate of $1.54 to one British Pound Sterling.