CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 28, 2018	Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 28, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales	$ 34,528	$ 33,021	$ 68,321	$ 63,761
Cost of sales	26,773	24,925	52,925	48,324
Gross profit	7,754	8,096	15,395	15,437
Selling, general and administrative expenses	6,320	6,321	12,599	12,231
Equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen	83	202	121	90
Operating income	1,517	1,977	2,918	3,296
Other income (expense)	19	12	45	(122)
Earnings before interest and income tax provision	1,536	1,989	2,963	3,174
Interest expense, net	181	151	342	300
Earnings before income tax provision	1,356	1,838	2,621	2,874
Income tax provision	226	503	406	730
Post tax earnings from other equity method investments	9	14	24	27
Net earnings	1,138	1,349	2,238	2,171
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(18)	0	(41)	1
Net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.	$ 1,156	$ 1,349	$ 2,279	$ 2,170
Net earnings per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.25	$ 1.36	$ 2.43	$ 2.17
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.24	$ 1.36	$ 2.42	$ 2.16
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	928.4	991.0	938.3	998.6
Diluted (in shares)	930.7	995.5	941.1	1,003.3