Restructuring (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring Plan, 2015 [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Initial Charge Recorded	$ 63
Ending Reserve Balance	50
Restructuring Plan, 2014 [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Initial Charge Recorded		$ 86
Ending Reserve Balance		13
S&P Ratings [Member] | Restructuring Plan, 2015 [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Initial Charge Recorded	18
Ending Reserve Balance	15
S&P Ratings [Member] | Restructuring Plan, 2014 [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Initial Charge Recorded		45
Ending Reserve Balance		6
S&P Capital IQ and SNL [Member] | Restructuring Plan, 2015 [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Initial Charge Recorded	31
Ending Reserve Balance	23
S&P Capital IQ and SNL [Member] | Restructuring Plan, 2014 [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Initial Charge Recorded		9
Ending Reserve Balance		1
C&C [Member] | Restructuring Plan, 2015 [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Initial Charge Recorded	3
Ending Reserve Balance	2
C&C [Member] | Restructuring Plan, 2014 [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Initial Charge Recorded		16
Ending Reserve Balance		1
Corporate [Member] | Restructuring Plan, 2015 [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Initial Charge Recorded	11
Ending Reserve Balance	$ 10
Corporate [Member] | Restructuring Plan, 2014 [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Initial Charge Recorded		16
Ending Reserve Balance		5
McGraw Hill Construction [Member] | Restructuring Plan, 2014 [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Initial Charge Recorded		$ 3