Exit and disposal activities - Restructuring Reserve Activity (Details) - Transformational Cost Management Program $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2021 USD ($)
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 199
Costs	279
Payments	(249)
Other	(43)
Currency	3
Ending balance	190
Lease obligations and other real estate costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	19
Costs	62
Payments	(47)
Other	(9)
Currency	1
Ending balance	26
Asset impairments
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	0
Costs	19
Payments	0
Other	(19)
Currency	(1)
Ending balance	0
Employee severance and business transition costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	166
Costs	172
Payments	(183)
Other	(4)
Currency	4
Ending balance	155
Information technology transformation and other exit costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	14
Costs	26
Payments	(18)
Other	(12)
Currency	(2)
Ending balance	$ 9