Segment and Related Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011
Segment information
Revenue	$ 1,953		$ 1,908		$ 4,830		$ 4,726
Operating Income (Loss)	528		607		1,114		1,180
S&P Ratings [Member]
Segment information
Revenue	502		410		1,451		1,333
Operating Income (Loss)	209		169		603		572
S&P Capital IQ/S&P Indices [Member]
Segment information
Revenue	393		349		1,112		1,006
Operating Income (Loss)	101		113		308		307
Commodities & Commercial [Member]
Segment information
Revenue	239		228		713		657
Operating Income (Loss)	60		51		195		139
McGraw-Hill Education [Member]
Segment information
Revenue	836		937		1,606		1,777
Operating Income (Loss)	253		315		245		281
Intersegment elimination [Member]
Segment information
Revenue	(17)	[1]	(16)	[1]	(52)	[1]	(47)	[1]
Operating Income (Loss)	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment information
Revenue	1,953		1,908		4,830		4,726
Operating Income (Loss)	623		648		1,351		1,299
General corporate expense [Member]
Segment information
Revenue	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Operating Income (Loss)	(95)	[2]	(41)	[2]	(237)	[2]	(119)	[2]
Spin Off Preparation [Member] | General corporate expense [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	$ 52				$ 112

[1] Revenue for S&P Ratings and expenses for S&P Capital IQ / S&P Indices include an intersegment royalty charged to S&P Capital IQ / S&P Indices for the rights to use and distribute content and data developed by S&P Ratings.

[2] General corporate expense includes Growth and Value Plan costs, which includes restructuring charges of $52 million and $112 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.