Financial instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2022	May 31, 2021	May 31, 2022	May 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2021
Foreign currency forwards | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Selling, general and administrative expenses
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gains and (losses) due to changes in fair value of derivative instruments	$ 0	$ (53)	$ 0	$ (177)
Foreign currency forwards | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Other income (expense)
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gains and (losses) due to changes in fair value of derivative instruments	319	(5)	322	(6)
Total return swap | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Selling, general and administrative expenses
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gains and (losses) due to changes in fair value of derivative instruments	(14)	$ 20	(24)	$ 48
Other current assets | Foreign currency forwards | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, assets	537		537		$ 575
Fair value, assets	21		21		7
Other current assets | Foreign currency forwards | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, assets	3,070		3,070		3,636
Fair value, assets	188		188		38
Other current assets | Cross currency interest rate swaps | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, assets	150		150
Fair value, assets	5		5
Other current assets | Total return swap | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, assets	232		232		224
Fair value, assets	7		7		2
Other non-current assets | Foreign currency forwards | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, assets	9		9		6
Fair value, assets	1		1		0
Other non-current assets | Cross currency interest rate swaps | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, assets	750		750		155
Fair value, assets	39		39		1
Other current liabilities | Foreign currency forwards | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, liabilities	189		189		31
Fair value, liabilities	3		3		1
Other current liabilities | Foreign currency forwards | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, liabilities	1,188		1,188		808
Fair value, liabilities	$ 17		$ 17		3
Other current liabilities | Cross currency interest rate swaps | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, liabilities					109
Fair value, liabilities					9
Other current liabilities | Total return swap | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, liabilities					37
Fair value, liabilities					0
Other non-current liabilities | Foreign currency forwards | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, liabilities					23
Fair value, liabilities					1
Other non-current liabilities | Cross currency interest rate swaps | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, liabilities					801
Fair value, liabilities					$ 23