Borrowings, Short-Term Borrowings (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
		Nov. 30, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016
Short-Term Borrowings [Abstract]
Total short-term borrowings	[1]	$ 1,095	$ 323
1.750% Unsecured Notes Due 2017 [Member]
Short-Term Borrowings [Abstract]
Unsecured Notes	[1],[2],[3]	$ 748	0
Maturity year	[1],[2],[3]	2017
Unsecured Pound Sterling Variable Rate Term Loan Due 2019 [Member]
Short-Term Borrowings [Abstract]
Unsecured Notes	[1]	$ 68	63
Maturity year	[1]	2019
Other Short-Term Debt [Member]
Short-Term Borrowings [Abstract]
Other	[1],[4]	$ 279	$ 260

[1] All notes are presented net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs, where applicable, and foreign currency denominated borrowings have been translated using the spot rates at November 30, 2016 and August 31, 2016, respectively.

[2] Notes are unsubordinated debt obligations of Walgreens Boots Alliance and rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreens Boots Alliance from time to time outstanding.

[3] The fair value & carrying value of the $6 billion, $8 billion, £0.7 billion, €0.75 billion, $4 billion and $1 billion note issuances as of November 30, 2016 was $5.9 billion & $6.0 billion, $7.3 billion & $7.2 billion, $0.9 billion & $0.9 billion, $0.8 billion & $0.8 billion, $1.7 billion & $1.7 billion and $0.3 billion & $0.2 billion, respectively. The fair values of the notes outstanding are Level 1 fair value measures and determined based on quoted market price and translated at the November 30, 2016 spot rate, as applicable.

[4] Other short-term borrowings represent a mix of fixed and variable rate borrowings with various maturities and working capital facilities denominated in various foreign currencies.