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Basis of Presentation (Details) - Range [Domain] - USD ($)
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2014
May. 31, 2015
May. 31, 2014
May. 31, 2015
May. 31, 2014
Jan. 01, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Aug. 02, 2012
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]                
Ownership percentage (in hundredths)   45.00%   45.00%        
Common shares transfer (in shares) 1,028,180,150 1,172,513,618   1,172,513,618        
Restricted Cash [Abstract]                
Restricted cash $ 0 $ 187,000,000   $ 187,000,000        
Financial Instruments [Abstract]                
Minimum highly effective hedging percentage (in hundredths)   80.00%   80.00%        
Maximum highly effective hedging percentage (in hundredths)   125.00%   125.00%        
Income Taxes [Abstract]                
Unrecognized tax benefits   $ 119,000,000   $ 119,000,000        
Unrecognized tax benefits will decrease in the next 12 months       $ 119,000,000        
Non controlling Interest [Abstract]                
Threshold percentage to consolidated subsidiaries accounts (in hundredths)       100.00%        
Currency [Abstract]                
Net gain (loss) from foreign currency transactions   $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0      
Retail Pharmacy USA [Member]                
Inventory [Abstract]                
Inventory increase in carrying amount if valued on LIFO basis $ 2,300,000,000     $ 2,400,000,000        
Alliance Boots [Member]                
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]                
Ownership percentage (in hundredths) 45.00% 100.00%   100.00%     45.00% 45.00%
Noncontrolling interest (in hundredths)   100.00%   100.00%        
Walgreens Boots Alliance Development GmbH [Member]                
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]                
Ownership percentage (in hundredths)   72.50%   72.50%        
Ownership interest percentage prior to Second Step Transaction (in hundredths)   50.00%   50.00%        
Noncontrolling interest (in hundredths)   27.50%   27.50%        
Equity method ownership option to repurchase shares, amount       $ 100,000        
Alliance Healthcare Italia Distribuzione S.p.A. [Member]                
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]                
Ownership percentage (in hundredths)           5.00%    
Common shares transfer (in shares)   320   320