Acquisitions and Divestitures (Divestitures) (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended				9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Aug. 27, 2013 CRISIL Limited [Member] India Index Services & Products Ltd [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Other (Income) Loss [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Data Center [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Data Center [Member] Other (Income) Loss [Member]	Sep. 22, 2014 McGraw Hill Construction [Member]	Mar. 22, 2013 MHE [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 MHE [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 MHE [Member]	Jul. 31, 2014 Harold W. McGraw III [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Pre-tax gain (loss) on dispositions			$ (9)	$ 24
Transaction amount													20
Non-cash impairment charge						6
Expected cash proceeds from sale of business									320
Cash proceeds from sale of business							58			2,400
After-tax gain (loss) on sale of business	$ 0	$ (20)	$ 0	$ 592				$ (3)			$ 592	$ 589
Percent of equity interest sold					49.00%