Restructuring - Charges Related to Merger Restructuring Program and 2008 Restructuring Program Activities by Type of Cost (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Materials and production	$ 4,137	$ 4,352	$ 12,286	$ 12,695
Marketing and administrative	3,063	3,340	9,386	10,029
Research and development	1,918	1,954	5,944	6,048
Restructuring costs	110	119	473	773
Charges	163	275	741	1,201
Merger Restructuring Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Materials and production	55	88	125	245
Marketing and administrative	19	31	64	77
Research and development	(32)	28	54	89
Restructuring costs	108	108	475	765
Charges	150	255	718	1,176
2008 Global Restructuring Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Materials and production	5	9	19	17
Marketing and administrative	6		6
Restructuring costs	2	11	(2)	8
Charges	13	20	23	25
Separation Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Charges	58	68	351	667
Separation Costs [Member] \| Merger Restructuring Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring costs	59	63	363	670
Charges	59	63	363	670
Separation Costs [Member] \| 2008 Global Restructuring Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring costs	(1)	5	(12)	(3)
Charges	(1)	5	(12)	(3)
Accelerated Depreciation [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Charges	32	140	193	423
Accelerated Depreciation [Member] \| Merger Restructuring Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Materials and production	42	81	75	233
Marketing and administrative	16	22	59	67
Research and development	(33)	27	49	107
Charges	25	130	183	407
Accelerated Depreciation [Member] \| 2008 Global Restructuring Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Materials and production	1	10	4	16
Marketing and administrative	6		6
Charges	7	10	10	16
Other [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Charges	73	67	197	111
Other [Member] \| Merger Restructuring Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Materials and production	13	7	50	12
Marketing and administrative	3	9	5	10
Research and development	1	1	5	(18)
Restructuring costs	49	45	112	95
Charges	66	62	172	99
Other [Member] \| 2008 Global Restructuring Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Materials and production	4	(1)	15	1
Restructuring costs	3	6	10	11
Charges	$ 7	$ 5	$ 25	$ 12

The aggregate costs incurred (1) in a planned search or critical investigation aimed at discovery of new knowledge with the hope that such knowledge will be useful in developing a new product or service, a new process or technique, or in bringing about a significant improvement to an existing product or process; or (2) to translate research findings or other knowledge into a plan or design for a new product or process or for a significant improvement to an existing product or process whether intended for sale or the entity's use, during the reporting period charged to research and development projects, including the costs of developing computer software up to the point in time of achieving technological feasibility, and costs allocated in accounting for a business combination to in-process projects deemed to have no alternative future use.

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Discloses the amount charged against the accrued restructuring reserves, or earnings if not previously accrued, during the period for the specified type of restructuring cost.

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- Definition

Amount charged against earnings in the period for incurred and estimated costs associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a duly authorized plan, excluding asset retirement obligations.

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- Definition

The aggregate total costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc.

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