Fair value measurements (Details) - Recurring - USD ($) $ in Millions	May 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Money market funds
Assets [Abstract]
Fair value of assets	$ 1,104	$ 2,096
Available-for-sale investments
Assets [Abstract]
Fair value of assets	1	1
Interest rate swaps
Liabilities [Abstract]
Fair value of liabilities	2
Foreign currency forwards
Assets [Abstract]
Fair value of assets	147
Liabilities [Abstract]
Fair value of liabilities		19
Level 1 | Money market funds
Assets [Abstract]
Fair value of assets	1,104	2,096
Level 1 | Available-for-sale investments
Assets [Abstract]
Fair value of assets	1	1
Level 1 | Interest rate swaps
Liabilities [Abstract]
Fair value of liabilities	0
Level 1 | Foreign currency forwards
Assets [Abstract]
Fair value of assets	0
Liabilities [Abstract]
Fair value of liabilities		0
Level 2 | Money market funds
Assets [Abstract]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 2 | Available-for-sale investments
Assets [Abstract]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 2 | Interest rate swaps
Liabilities [Abstract]
Fair value of liabilities	2
Level 2 | Foreign currency forwards
Assets [Abstract]
Fair value of assets	147
Liabilities [Abstract]
Fair value of liabilities		19
Level 3 | Money market funds
Assets [Abstract]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 3 | Available-for-sale investments
Assets [Abstract]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 3 | Interest rate swaps
Liabilities [Abstract]
Fair value of liabilities	0
Level 3 | Foreign currency forwards
Assets [Abstract]
Fair value of assets	$ 0
Liabilities [Abstract]
Fair value of liabilities		$ 0