Supplemental information - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Billions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2024	Feb. 28, 2023	Feb. 29, 2024	Feb. 28, 2023	Aug. 31, 2023
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accumulated depreciation and amortization on property, plant, and equipment	$ 13.2		$ 13.2		$ 13.0
Antidilutive securities excluded from EPS calculations (in shares)	14.1	16.0	14.9	16.8
Incremental common shares attributable to dilutive effect of share-based payment arrangements	8.5		6.3	4.8
Related Party | Cencora
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables	$ 1.4		$ 1.4		1.1
Trade Accounts Receivable
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables	$ 4.8		$ 4.8		$ 4.3