Segment and Related Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Segment information
Revenue	$ 1,547	$ 1,557	$ 2,878	$ 2,818
Operating Income (Loss)	365	358	586	573
S&P Ratings [Member]
Segment information
Revenue	483	480	949	923
Operating Income (Loss)	208	213	394	403
S&P Capital IQ/S&P Indices [Member]
Segment information
Revenue	366	333	719	657
Operating Income (Loss)	100	98	207	194
Commodities & Commercial [Member]
Segment information
Revenue	241	222	474	429
Operating Income (Loss)	71	49	135	87
McGraw-Hill Education [Member]
Segment information
Revenue	474	537	770	839
Operating Income (Loss)	57	42	(8)	(33)
Intersegment elimination [Member]
Segment information
Revenue	(17)	(15)	(34)	(30)
Operating Income (Loss)	0	0	0	0
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment information
Revenue	1,547	1,557	2,878	2,818
Operating Income (Loss)	436	402	728	651
General corporate expense [Member]
Segment information
Revenue	0	0	0	0
Operating Income (Loss)	$ (71)	$ (44)	$ (142)	$ (78)