CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales	$ 34,631	$ 34,591	$ 104,791	$ 102,912
Cost of sales	28,193	27,138	83,577	80,063
Gross profit	6,438	7,453	21,214	22,849
Selling, general and administrative expenses	8,265	6,235	20,835	18,834
Equity earnings (loss) in AmerisourceBergen	243	(16)	284	105
Operating income (loss)	(1,584)	1,203	662	4,120
Other income (expense)	(34)	182	26	227
Earnings (loss) before interest and income tax provision	(1,618)	1,385	689	4,347
Interest expense, net	155	187	482	529
Earnings (loss) before income tax provision	(1,773)	1,198	206	3,819
Income tax provision (benefit)	(40)	156	152	562
Post tax earnings (loss) from other equity method investments	7	(5)	14	19
Net earnings (loss)	(1,726)	1,037	68	3,275
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(18)	12	(16)	(29)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.	$ (1,708)	$ 1,025	$ 83	$ 3,305
Net earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (1.95)	$ 1.13	$ 0.09	$ 3.56
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (1.95)	$ 1.13	$ 0.09	$ 3.55
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	875.4	909.9	883.7	928.8
Diluted (in shares)	875.4	911.2	884.7	931.1