Borrowings (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Notes Payable and Short-Term Borrowings
Current portion of long-term debt	$ 4,584	$ 5,226
Amount outstanding	5,396	5,979
Current portion of long-term debt, weighted average interest rate (as a percent)	2.10%	2.80%
Commercial paper
Notes Payable and Short-Term Borrowings
Short term borrowings	349	327
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)	0.50%	0.40%
Commercial paper | HPFS and its subsidiaries
Notes Payable and Short-Term Borrowings
Short term borrowings	349	327
Obligation related to notes payable to banks, lines of credit, uncommitted line of credit and other debt
Notes Payable and Short-Term Borrowings
Short term borrowings	463	426
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)	3.90%	1.70%
Obligation related to notes payable to banks, lines of credit, uncommitted line of credit and other debt | HPFS and its subsidiaries
Notes Payable and Short-Term Borrowings
Short term borrowings	$ 382	$ 368