Income taxes - components of earnings before income tax provision (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
U.S.	$ 1,898	$ 3,292	$ 1,953
Non–U.S.	2,629	2,683	2,900
Earnings before income tax provision	$ 4,527	$ 5,975	$ 4,853

The portion of earnings or loss from continuing operations before income taxes that is attributable to domestic operations.

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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- Definition

Amount of income (loss) from continuing operations, including income (loss) from equity method investments, before deduction of income tax expense (benefit), and income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB
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The portion of earnings or loss from continuing operations before income taxes that is attributable to foreign operations, which is defined as Income or Loss generated from operations located outside the entity's country of domicile.

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