CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2020	Nov. 30, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales	$ 36,307	$ 34,339
Cost of sales	29,168	27,077
Gross profit	7,139	7,263
Selling, general and administrative expenses	6,207	6,262
Equity earnings (loss) in AmerisourceBergen	(1,373)	13
Operating income (loss)	(440)	1,013
Other income (expense)	60	35
Earnings (loss) before interest and income tax provision	(380)	1,048
Interest expense, net	140	166
Earnings (loss) before income tax provision	(520)	882
Income tax provision (benefit)	(199)	32
Post tax earnings (loss) from other equity method investments	23	(9)
Net earnings (loss)	(299)	842
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	9	(3)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.	$ (308)	$ 845
Net earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.36)	$ 0.95
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.36)	$ 0.95
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	865.3	891.4
Diluted (in shares)	865.3	892.6