Acquisitions and Divestitures - Divestitures Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions					3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Nov. 03, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 22, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Aug. 27, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on sale of discontinued operations							$ 0	$ 160	$ 589
Data Center [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash proceeds from sale of business			$ 58
McGraw Hill Construction [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash proceeds from sale of business	$ 320
Pre-tax gain (loss) on dispositions							11
Other (Income) Loss [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Non-cash impairment charge						$ 36
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Pre-tax gain (loss) on dispositions								(9)	24
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | CRISIL Limited [Member] | India Index Services & Products Ltd [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Percent of equity interest sold										49.00%
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | Data Center [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash proceeds from sale of business			58
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | Other (Income) Loss [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Non-cash impairment charge					$ 6
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | Other (Income) Loss [Member] | Data Center [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Pre-tax gain (loss) on dispositions			$ (3)
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | Other (Income) Loss [Member] | McGraw Hill Construction [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Pre-tax gain (loss) on dispositions							$ 11
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | Harold W. McGraw III [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Amount of transaction with related party		$ 20
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale [Member] | McGraw Hill Construction [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash proceeds from sale of business	$ 320
Gain on sale of discontinued operations								$ 160
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale [Member] | McGraw Hill Education [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash proceeds from sale of business				$ 2,400
Gain on sale of discontinued operations									$ 589