Retirement benefits - accumulated other comprehensive income (Details) - Pension Plan - USD ($) $ in Millions	Aug. 31, 2023	Aug. 31, 2022	Aug. 31, 2021
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net actuarial loss (gain)	$ 730	$ (251)	$ (506)
Prior service cost	(1)	(1)	(1)
Total pre-tax comprehensive loss (income)	$ 729	$ (252)	$ (507)

Amount, before tax, of accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss for defined benefit plan, that has not been recognized in net periodic benefit cost (credit).

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14A
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482790/220-10-45-14A

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 10A
-Subparagraph (i-k)
-SubTopic 10
-Topic 220
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482790/220-10-45-10A

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (j)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480506/715-20-50-1

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Amount, before tax, of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for gain (loss) of defined benefit plan, that has not been recognized in net periodic benefit (cost) credit.

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Amount, before tax, of accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss for cost (credit) of benefit change attributable to participants' prior service from plan amendment or plan initiation of defined benefit plan, that has not been recognized in net periodic benefit cost (credit).

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