XML 92 R63.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Stock-Based Compensation (Details Textual) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Director deferred stock ownership plan amount to be credited to deferred stock accounts 50.00%mhfi_DirectorDeferredStockOwnershipPlanAmountToBeCreditedToDeferredStockAccounts      
Share delivery term if elected 5 years      
Total stock-based compensation expense $ 100us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense $ 96us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense $ 90us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense  
Award vesting period 3 years      
Percentage of compensation costs recognized       50.00%mhfi_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardPercentageofCompensationCostsRecognized
Total fair value of stock options, vested 6us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingAggregateIntrinsicValue 12us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingAggregateIntrinsicValue 21us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingAggregateIntrinsicValue  
Excess tax benefits from stock options exercised reported in cash flows 128us-gaap_ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationFinancingActivities 43us-gaap_ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationFinancingActivities 42us-gaap_ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationFinancingActivities  
Employee Stock Option [Member]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Award vesting period 3 years   2 years  
Award expiration period 10 years     10 years
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Graded Vesting Method [Member]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Award vesting period 3 years     2 years
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Ratable Vest One [Member]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Percentage of compensation costs recognized 33.33%mhfi_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardPercentageofCompensationCostsRecognized
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= mhfi_RatableVestOneMember
     
Award cost recognition period 12 months     12 months
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Ratable Vest Two [Member]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Percentage of compensation costs recognized 33.33%mhfi_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardPercentageofCompensationCostsRecognized
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_VestingAxis
= mhfi_RatableVestTwoMember
     
Award cost recognition period 24 months     24 months
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Ratable Vest Three [Member]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Award cost recognition period 36 months      
McGraw Hill Education [Member]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Stock based compensation from discontinued operations 2mhfi_ShareBasedCompensationExpenseFromDiscontinuedOperations
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= mhfi_McgrawHillEducationMember
10mhfi_ShareBasedCompensationExpenseFromDiscontinuedOperations
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= mhfi_McgrawHillEducationMember
19mhfi_ShareBasedCompensationExpenseFromDiscontinuedOperations
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= mhfi_McgrawHillEducationMember
 
Group of Individuals Transferred to MHE [Member]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Total stock-based compensation expense     $ 5us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= mhfi_GroupOfIndividualsTransferredToMheMember