Pension, Postretirement Health Care and Other Benefits (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Jul. 30, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 30, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jan. 29, 2011
Pension, Postretirement Health Care and Other Benefits
Nonqualified unfunded deferred compensation plan for members whose participation in 401(k) plan is limited, number of employees (in number of individuals)			3,500
Unfunded nonqualified deferred compensation plan for members whose participation in 401(k) plan is limited, percent credited to accounts of active participants (as a percent)			2.00%
Nonqualified unfunded deferred compensation plan frozen in 1996, number of current active and retired participants (in number of individuals)			100
Nonqualified unfunded deferred compensation plan frozen in 1996, additional rate of return above market levels (as a percent)			6.00%
Nonqualified unfunded deferred compensation plan frozen in 1996, minimum rate of return (as a percent)			12.00%
Nonqualified unfunded deferred compensation plan frozen in 1996, maximum rate of return (as a percent)			20.00%
Prepaid forward contracts
Prepaid Forward Contracts on Target Common Stock
Change in fair value for contracts indexed to Target common stock, recognized in earnings, pretax	$ 4	$ (7)	$ (3)	$ (1)
Investments in contracts indexed to Target common stock			29	11
Number of Shares (in shares)	1.4	1.4	1.4	1.4	1.2
Contractual Price Paid per Share (in dollars per share)			$ 45.43	$ 43.49	$ 44.09
Fair Value	74	73	74	73	63
Total Cash Investment	$ 65	$ 62	$ 65	$ 62	$ 51

The number of current and retired participants covered under a nonqualified, unfunded deferred compensation plan for members whose participation in the 401(k) plan is limited by statute or regulation.

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The annual percentage credited to the accounts of active participants under a nonqualified, unfunded deferred compensation plan for members whose participation in the 401(k) plan is limited by statute or regulation.

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- Definition

The maximum rate of return that is earned by a nonqualified, unfunded deferred compensation plan which was frozen in 1996.

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The minimum rate of return that is earned by a nonqualified, unfunded deferred compensation plan which was frozen in 1996.

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- Definition

The number of active and retired participants covered under a nonqualified, unfunded deferred compensation plan which was frozen in 1996.

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- Definition

The additional rate of return above market levels of interest rates that is earned by a nonqualified, unfunded deferred compensation plan which was frozen in 1996.

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- Definition

The cash investment of the contract indexed to the entity's common stock.

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- Definition

Aggregate net gain (loss) on all derivative instruments recognized in earnings during the period, before tax effects.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4A
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5618551-113959

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- Definition

The number of issuer's shares to which the option contract is indexed.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 00-19
-Paragraph 50
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 40
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (a)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6445032&loc=d3e90205-114008

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- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

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- Definition

The exercise (or strike) price stated in the contract. The fixed price at which the option holder can purchase, in the case of a call option, or sell, in the case of a put option, on the underlying security.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 00-19
-Paragraph 50
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 40
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (a)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6445032&loc=d3e90205-114008

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- Definition

Fair value of all derivative assets not designated as a hedging instrument.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 10
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6947722&loc=d3e13433-108611

+ Details

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- Definition

The net cash outflow or inflow from derivative instruments during the period, which are classified as investing activities, excluding those designated as hedging instruments.

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