Taxes on Earnings (Detail 4) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018 USD ($) country	Oct. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits
Balance at beginning of year	$ 11,262	$ 11,411	$ 4,901
Increases:
For current year's tax positions	163	28	1,456
For prior years' tax positions	66	311	820
Net transfers from former Parent through equity	0	0	4,455
Decreases:
For prior years' tax positions	(82)	(202)	(114)
Statute of limitations expiration	(86)	(70)	(47)
Settlements with taxing authorities	(2)	(216)	(60)
Settlements related to joint and several positions of former Parent	(2,495)	0	0
Balance at end of year	8,826	11,262	11,411
Unrecognized tax benefits that would affect effective tax rate if realized	1,100	3,000	$ 2,700
Increase in unrecognized tax benefit related to the timing of intercompany royalty income recognition	2,400
Income tax benefit including interest, penalties and offsetting benefits	2,000
Increase in unrecognized tax benefits		149
Accrued income tax for interest and penalties	$ 142	$ 304
Likelihood of no resolution period	12 months
Likelihood of conclusion period for certain federal, foreign and state tax issues	12 months
Reasonably possible decrease in existing unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months	$ 6,400
Number of other countries in which HP is subject to income taxes | country	110
Undistributed earnings from non-U.S. operations	$ 7,900