<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.3.1.900</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>272</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>94</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>114</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>2</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000000 - Document - Document and Entity Information {Elements}</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentDocumentandEntityInformationElements</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000011 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund (Retail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardUSGrowthFundRetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund (Retail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000019 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund (Retail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardUSGrowthFundRetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund (Retail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000021 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund (Investor Shares for Participants)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardUSGrowthFundInvestorSharesforParticipants</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund (Investor Shares for Participants)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000029 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund (Investor Shares for Participants)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardUSGrowthFundInvestorSharesforParticipants</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund (Investor Shares for Participants)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000031 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund (Admiral Shares for Participants)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardUSGrowthFundAdmiralSharesforParticipants</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund (Admiral Shares for Participants)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000039 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund (Admiral Shares for Participants)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardUSGrowthFundAdmiralSharesforParticipants</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund (Admiral Shares for Participants)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000041 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard International Growth Fund (Retail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardInternationalGrowthFundRetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard International Growth Fund (Retail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000049 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard International Growth Fund (Retail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardInternationalGrowthFundRetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard International Growth Fund (Retail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000051 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard International Growth Fund (Investor Shares for Participants)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardInternationalGrowthFundInvestorSharesforParticipants</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard International Growth Fund (Investor Shares for Participants)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000059 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard International Growth Fund (Investor Shares for Participants)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardInternationalGrowthFundInvestorSharesforParticipants</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard International Growth Fund (Investor Shares for Participants)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000061 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard International Growth Fund (Admiral Shares for Participants)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardInternationalGrowthFundAdmiralSharesforParticipants</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard International Growth Fund (Admiral Shares for Participants)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000069 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard International Growth Fund (Admiral Shares for Participants)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardInternationalGrowthFundAdmiralSharesforParticipants</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard International Growth Fund (Admiral Shares for Participants)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000071 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard Consumer Discretionary Index Fund (ETF)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardConsumerDiscretionaryIndexFundETF</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard Consumer Discretionary Index Fund (ETF)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000079 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Consumer Discretionary Index Fund (ETF)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardConsumerDiscretionaryIndexFundETF</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard Consumer Discretionary Index Fund (ETF)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000081 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund (ETF)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardConsumerStaplesIndexFundETF</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund (ETF)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000089 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund (ETF)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardConsumerStaplesIndexFundETF</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund (ETF)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000091 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard Energy Index Fund (ETF)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardEnergyIndexFundETF</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard Energy Index Fund (ETF)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000099 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Energy Index Fund (ETF)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardEnergyIndexFundETF</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard Energy Index Fund (ETF)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000101 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard Financials Index Fund (ETF)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardFinancialsIndexFundETF</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard Financials Index Fund (ETF)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000109 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Financials Index Fund (ETF)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardFinancialsIndexFundETF</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard Financials Index Fund (ETF)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000111 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (ETF)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardHealthCareIndexFundETF</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (ETF)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000119 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (ETF)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardHealthCareIndexFundETF</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (ETF)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000121 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (ETF)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardIndustrialsIndexFundETF</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (ETF)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R86.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000129 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (ETF)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardIndustrialsIndexFundETF</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (ETF)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R87.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000131 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund (ETF)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardInformationTechnologyIndexFundETF</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund (ETF)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R93.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000139 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund (ETF)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardInformationTechnologyIndexFundETF</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund (ETF)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R94.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000141 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard Materials Index Fund (ETF)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardMaterialsIndexFundETF</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard Materials Index Fund (ETF)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R100.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000149 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Materials Index Fund (ETF)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardMaterialsIndexFundETF</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard Materials Index Fund (ETF)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R101.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000151 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard Telecommunication Services Index Fund (ETF)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardTelecommunicationServicesIndexFundETF</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard Telecommunication Services Index Fund (ETF)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R107.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000159 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Telecommunication Services Index Fund (ETF)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardTelecommunicationServicesIndexFundETF</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard Telecommunication Services Index Fund (ETF)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R108.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000161 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard Utilities Index Fund (ETF)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardUtilitiesIndexFundETF</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard Utilities Index Fund (ETF)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R114.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000169 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Utilities Index Fund (ETF)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardUtilitiesIndexFundETF</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard Utilities Index Fund (ETF)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R115.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000171 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard Consumer Discretionary Index Fund (Retail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardConsumerDiscretionaryIndexFundRetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard Consumer Discretionary Index Fund (Retail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R121.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000179 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Consumer Discretionary Index Fund (Retail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardConsumerDiscretionaryIndexFundRetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard Consumer Discretionary Index Fund (Retail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R122.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000181 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund (Retail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardConsumerStaplesIndexFundRetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund (Retail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R128.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000189 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund (Retail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardConsumerStaplesIndexFundRetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund (Retail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R129.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000191 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard Energy Index Fund (Retail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardEnergyIndexFundRetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard Energy Index Fund (Retail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R135.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000199 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Energy Index Fund (Retail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardEnergyIndexFundRetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard Energy Index Fund (Retail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R136.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000201 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard Financials Index Fund (Retail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardFinancialsIndexFundRetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard Financials Index Fund (Retail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R142.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000209 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Financials Index Fund (Retail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardFinancialsIndexFundRetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard Financials Index Fund (Retail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R143.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000211 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (Retail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardHealthCareIndexFundRetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (Retail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R149.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000219 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (Retail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardHealthCareIndexFundRetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (Retail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R150.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000221 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (Retail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardIndustrialsIndexFundRetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (Retail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R156.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000229 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (Retail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardIndustrialsIndexFundRetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (Retail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R157.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000231 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund (Retail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardInformationTechnologyIndexFundRetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund (Retail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R163.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000239 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund (Retail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardInformationTechnologyIndexFundRetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund (Retail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R164.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000241 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard Materials Index Fund (Retail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardMaterialsIndexFundRetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard Materials Index Fund (Retail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R170.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000249 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Materials Index Fund (Retail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardMaterialsIndexFundRetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard Materials Index Fund (Retail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R171.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000251 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard Telecommunication Services Index Fund (Retail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardTelecommunicationServicesIndexFundRetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard Telecommunication Services Index Fund (Retail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R177.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000259 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Telecommunication Services Index Fund (Retail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardTelecommunicationServicesIndexFundRetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard Telecommunication Services Index Fund (Retail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R178.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000261 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard Utilities Index Fund (Retail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardUtilitiesIndexFundRetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard Utilities Index Fund (Retail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R184.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000269 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Utilities Index Fund (Retail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardUtilitiesIndexFundRetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard Utilities Index Fund (Retail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R185.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000271 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund (ETF)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardExtendedDurationTreasuryIndexFundETF000271</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund (ETF)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R191.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000279 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund (ETF)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardExtendedDurationTreasuryIndexFundETF000279</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund (ETF)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R192.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000281 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund (Institutional)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardExtendedDurationTreasuryIndexFundInstitutional000281</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund (Institutional)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R199.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000289 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund (Institutional)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardExtendedDurationTreasuryIndexFundInstitutional000289</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund (Institutional)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R200.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000291 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard Mega Cap Index Fund (ETF)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardMegaCapIndexFundETF</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard Mega Cap Index Fund (ETF)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R206.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000299 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Mega Cap Index Fund (ETF)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardMegaCapIndexFundETF</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard Mega Cap Index Fund (ETF)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R207.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000301 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard Mega Cap Value Index Fund (ETF)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardMegaCapValueIndexFundETF</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard Mega Cap Value Index Fund (ETF)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R213.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000309 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Mega Cap Value Index Fund (ETF)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardMegaCapValueIndexFundETF</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard Mega Cap Value Index Fund (ETF)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R214.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000311 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund (ETF)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardMegaCapGrowthIndexFundETF</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund (ETF)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R220.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000319 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund (ETF)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardMegaCapGrowthIndexFundETF</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund (ETF)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R221.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000321 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard Mega Cap Index Fund (Institutional)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardMegaCapIndexFundInstitutional</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard Mega Cap Index Fund (Institutional)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R227.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000329 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Mega Cap Index Fund (Institutional)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardMegaCapIndexFundInstitutional</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard Mega Cap Index Fund (Institutional)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R228.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000331 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard Mega Cap Value Index Fund (Institutional)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardMegaCapValueIndexFundInstitutional</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard Mega Cap Value Index Fund (Institutional)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R234.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000339 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Mega Cap Value Index Fund (Institutional)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardMegaCapValueIndexFundInstitutional</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard Mega Cap Value Index Fund (Institutional)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R235.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000341 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund (Institutional)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardMegaCapGrowthIndexFundInstitutional</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund (Institutional)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R241.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000349 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund (Institutional)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardMegaCapGrowthIndexFundInstitutional</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard Mega Cap Growth Index Fund (Institutional)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R242.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000351 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund (Retail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardFTSESocialIndexFundRetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund (Retail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R248.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000359 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund (Retail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardFTSESocialIndexFundRetail</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund (Retail)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R249.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000361 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund (Investor Shares for Participants)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardFTSESocialIndexFundInvestorSharesforParticipants</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund (Investor Shares for Participants)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>72</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R255.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000369 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund (Investor Shares for Participants)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardFTSESocialIndexFundInvestorSharesforParticipants</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund (Investor Shares for Participants)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>73</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>true</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R256.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000371 - Document - Risk/Return Summary {Unlabeled} - Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund (Institutional)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentRiskReturnSummaryUnlabeledVanguardFTSESocialIndexFundInstitutional</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Summary- Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund (Institutional)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>74</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R262.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000379 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund (Institutional)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardFTSESocialIndexFundInstitutional</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data- Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund (Institutional)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>75</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="world-20151222.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R263.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040000 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements}</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://xbrl.sec.gov/rr/role/RiskReturnDetailData</Role>
      <ShortName>Risk/Return Detail Data</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory></MenuCategory>
      <Position>76</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>world-20151222.xml</File>
    <File>world-20151222.xsd</File>
    <File>world-20151222_cal.xml</File>
    <File>world-20151222_def.xml</File>
    <File>world-20151222_lab.xml</File>
    <File>world-20151222_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles>
    <File>BarChart1.png</File>
    <File>BarChart2.png</File>
    <File>BarChart3.png</File>
    <File>BarChart4.png</File>
    <File>BarChart5.png</File>
    <File>BarChart6.png</File>
    <File>BarChart7.png</File>
    <File>BarChart8.png</File>
    <File>BarChart9.png</File>
    <File>BarChart10.png</File>
    <File>BarChart11.png</File>
    <File>BarChart12.png</File>
    <File>BarChart13.png</File>
    <File>BarChart14.png</File>
    <File>BarChart15.png</File>
    <File>BarChart16.png</File>
    <File>BarChart17.png</File>
    <File>BarChart18.png</File>
    <File>BarChart19.png</File>
    <File>BarChart20.png</File>
    <File>BarChart21.png</File>
    <File>BarChart22.png</File>
    <File>BarChart23.png</File>
    <File>BarChart24.png</File>
    <File>BarChart25.png</File>
    <File>BarChart26.png</File>
    <File>BarChart27.png</File>
    <File>BarChart28.png</File>
    <File>BarChart29.png</File>
    <File>BarChart30.png</File>
    <File>BarChart31.png</File>
    <File>BarChart32.png</File>
    <File>BarChart33.png</File>
    <File>BarChart34.png</File>
    <File>BarChart35.png</File>
    <File>BarChart36.png</File>
    <File>BarChart37.png</File>
  </SupplementalFiles>
  <BaseTaxonomies/>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
