Supplemental Financial Statement Data (Schedule Of Balance Sheets - Other Liabilities) (Details) (USD $) In Millions	Jul. 31, 2011		Aug. 01, 2010
Supplemental Financial Statement Data
Pension benefits	$ 319		$ 500
Deferred compensation	144	[1]	149	[1]
Postretirement benefits	344		332
Fair value of derivatives	90		22
Unrecognized tax benefits	51		45
Other	35		31
Other liabilities	$ 983		$ 1,079

[1] The deferred compensation obligation represents unfunded plans maintained for the purpose of providing the company's directors and certain of its executives the opportunity to defer a portion of their compensation. All forms of compensation contributed to the deferred compensation plans are accounted for in accordance with the underlying program. Deferrals and company contributions are credited to an investment account in the participant's name, although no funds are actually contributed to the investment account and no investments are actually purchased. Six investment choices are available, including: (1) a book account that tracks the total return on company stock; (2) a book account that tracks the performance of the Vanguard Institutional Index; (3) a book account that tracks the performance of the Vanguard Extended Market Index; (4) a book account that tracks the performance of the Vanguard Total International Stock Fund; (5) a book account that tracks the performance of the Vanguard Total Bond Market Index; and (6) a book account that tracks the performance of Charles Schwab Stable Value Fund. Participants can reallocate investments daily and are entitled to the gains and losses on investment funds. The company recognizes an amount in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the market appreciation/depreciation of each fund.