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Amount of gain (loss) recognized in settlement of litigation and insurance claims. Excludes claims within an insurance entity's normal claims settlement process.

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Segment reporting - results of operations of reportable segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2023	May 31, 2023	Feb. 28, 2023	Nov. 30, 2022	Aug. 31, 2022	May 31, 2022	Feb. 28, 2022	Nov. 30, 2021	Aug. 31, 2023	Aug. 31, 2022	Aug. 31, 2021
Segment Reporting Information, Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Sales	$ 35,422	$ 35,415	$ 34,862	$ 33,382	$ 32,449	$ 32,597	$ 33,756	$ 33,901	$ 139,081	$ 132,703	$ 132,509
Adjusted operating income									3,871	5,133	5,117
Depreciation and amortization									2,257	1,990	1,923
Capital expenditures									2,117	1,734	1,312
Certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements									(7,466)	(768)	(75)
Transformational cost management									(1,181)	(763)	(417)
Acquisition-related amortization									(1,126)	(855)	(523)
Acquisition-related costs									(323)	(223)	(54)
Impairment of intangible assets									(299)	(783)	(49)
Adjustments to equity earnings in Cencora									(211)	(218)	(1,645)
LIFO provision									(187)	(135)	(13)
Store damage and inventory loss insurance recovery									40	0	0
Operating (loss) income									(6,882)	1,387	2,342
Reportable Segments \| U.S. Retail Pharmacy
Segment Reporting Information, Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Sales									110,314	109,078	112,005
Adjusted operating income									3,689	5,029	5,019
Depreciation and amortization									1,362	1,415	1,513
Capital expenditures									1,421	1,207	1,030
Reportable Segments \| International
Segment Reporting Information, Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Sales									22,198	21,830	20,505
Adjusted operating income									935	726	466
Depreciation and amortization									328	355	399
Capital expenditures									308	295	243
Reportable Segments \| U.S. Healthcare
Segment Reporting Information, Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Sales									6,570	1,795	0
Adjusted operating income									(566)	(370)	(57)
Depreciation and amortization									560	211	1
Capital expenditures									375	218	34
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information, Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Adjusted operating income									(187)	(251)	(311)
Depreciation and amortization									8	9	10
Capital expenditures									$ 13	$ 15	$ 5