Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2023	Nov. 30, 2022
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 28,322	$ 29,366
Total other comprehensive loss	(5)	(10)
Ending balance	27,588	24,582
Pension/ post-retirement obligations
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(698)	(157)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments	77	0
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(2)	(7)
Tax benefit (provision)	(19)	2
Total other comprehensive loss	56	(5)
Ending balance	(642)	(162)
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges and other
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(6)	(2)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments	1	(3)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	4	0
Tax benefit (provision)	0	1
Total other comprehensive loss	5	(2)
Ending balance	(1)	(4)
Net investment hedges
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	83	213
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments	8	(39)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(4)	0
Tax benefit (provision)	(1)	9
Total other comprehensive loss	3	(29)
Ending balance	86	183
Share of OCI of equity method investments
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(132)	(254)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments	(28)	(103)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	8	110
Tax benefit (provision)	5	(3)
Total other comprehensive loss	(15)	4
Ending balance	(147)	(250)
Cumulative translation adjustments
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(2,240)	(2,605)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments	(49)	22
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(2)	0
Tax benefit (provision)	0	0
Total other comprehensive loss	(51)	22
Ending balance	(2,291)	(2,583)
Total
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(2,993)	(2,805)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments	9	(123)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	3	103
Tax benefit (provision)	(14)	9
Total other comprehensive loss	(2)	(11)
Ending balance	$ (2,995)	$ (2,815)