Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 220	$ 216	$ 347	$ 339
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax benefit of $5 million and $6 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and $4 million and $7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011	(37)	5	(19)	34
Pension and other post-retirement benefit plans, net of taxes of $8 million and $10 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, and $3 million and $6 million for the three and six months ended	13	10	18	14
Unrealized loss on investments and forward exchange contracts, net of tax benefit of $1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and $2 million and $4 million for the three and six months ended June	(2)	(2)	(1)	(6)
Comprehensive income	194	229	345	381
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	2	(5)	(5)	(10)
Comprehensive income attributable to The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.	$ 196	$ 224	$ 340	$ 371