Exit and disposal activities - Restructuring Reserve Activity (Details) - Transformational Cost Management Program $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2022 USD ($)
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 114
Costs	404
Payments	(229)
Other	(161)
Ending balance	129
Lease obligations and other real estate costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	17
Costs	113
Payments	(60)
Other	(52)
Ending balance	18
Asset Impairments
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	0
Costs	105
Payments	0
Other	(105)
Ending balance	0
Employee severance and business transition costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	77
Costs	166
Payments	(145)
Other	(6)
Ending balance	92
Information technology transformation and other exit costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	20
Costs	20
Payments	(24)
Other	2
Ending balance	$ 20