Taxes on Earnings (Detail 2)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015
Differences between the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate and HP's effective tax rate
U.S. federal statutory income tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	3.00%	1.00%	12.40%
Lower rates in other jurisdictions, net	(426.30%)	(24.50%)	(10.50%)
Valuation allowance	310.00%	(14.70%)	(85.90%)
U.S. Permanent differences	27.80%	(2.30%)	1.90%
Uncertain tax positions	(8.40%)	23.10%	5.80%
Other, net	(1.40%)	(1.50%)	4.90%
Effective tax rate (as a percent)	(60.30%)	16.10%	(36.40%)