Segment and Related Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013 Segment		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013 Segment		Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments (in segments)	4				4
Revenue	$ 1,194		$ 1,116		$ 3,625		$ 3,224
Operating Profit	407		275		1,121		865
S&P Ratings
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	540		502		1,701		1,451
Operating Profit	243		209		779		603
S&P Capital IQ
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	293		284		868		835
Operating Profit	54		40		165		160
S&P DJ Indices
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	124		109		363		277
Operating Profit	80		61		227		148
C&C
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	255		239		750		713
Operating Profit	91		60		236		195
Intersegment elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	(18)	[1]	(18)	[1]	(57)	[1]	(52)	[1]
Operating Profit	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Total continuing operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	1,194		1,116		3,625		3,224
Operating Profit	468		370		1,407		1,106
Unallocated expense
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Operating Profit	(61)	[2]	(95)	[2]	(286)	[2]	(241)	[2]
Growth and value plan | Unallocated expense
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Initial Charge Recorded	10		48		64		101
Pre-tax legal settlements | Unallocated expense
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Initial Charge Recorded					$ 77

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

[2] Includes Growth and Value Plan costs of $10 million and $64 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively and $48 million and $101 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. Also includes pre-tax legal settlements of approximately $77 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.