Amount charged against earnings in the period for incurred and estimated costs associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a duly authorized plan, excluding asset retirement obligations.

+ References+ Details

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of known and estimated obligations associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a duly authorized plan, which are expected to be paid in the next twelve months or in the normal operating cycle if longer. Costs of such activities include those for one-time termination benefits, termination of an operating lease or other contract, consolidating or closing facilities, relocating employees, and costs associated with an ongoing benefit arrangement, but excludes costs associated with the retirement of a long-lived asset.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Amount of cash paid in the period to fully or partially settle a specified, previously accrued type of restructuring cost.

+ References+ Details

Restructuring (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended			3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	6 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013 Restructuring Plan, 2012 [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Restructuring Plan, 2012 [Member] Positions	Dec. 31, 2012 Restructuring Plan, 2012 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Restructuring Plan, 2012 [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Restructuring Plan, 2011 [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Restructuring Plan, 2011 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Restructuring Plan, 2011 [Member] Positions	Jun. 30, 2013 Restructuring Plan, 2011 [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Restructuring Plan, 2011 [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Growth And Value Plan [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 MHE [Member] Restructuring Plan, 2012 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 MHE [Member] Restructuring Plan, 2012 [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 S&P Ratings [Member] Restructuring Plan, 2012 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 S&P Ratings [Member] Restructuring Plan, 2012 [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 S&P Capital IQ / Indices [Member] Restructuring Plan, 2012 [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 C&C [Member] Restructuring Plan, 2012 [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Corporate Segment [Member] Restructuring Plan, 2012 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Corporate Segment [Member] Restructuring Plan, 2012 [Member]
Restructuring (Textual) [Abstract]
Pre-tax restructuring charge		$ 68					$ 32			$ 5	$ 12	$ 6	$ 15	$ 9	$ 19	$ 1	$ 21	$ 17
Restructuring reserve			107	66
Workforce reduction, positions		670					250
Restructuring charges paid	22	46			3	12		8	30
Restructuring reserve, current	$ 46	$ 46			$ 12			$ 12			$ 15		$ 10		$ 7	$ 4	$ 8