Consolidated Statement of Equity (Unaudited) - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2016 - USD ($) $ in Millions		Total	Common Stock $1 par	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Income	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Less: Treasury Stock	Total SPGI Equity	Noncontrolling Interests
Balance as of December 31, 2015 at Dec. 31, 2015		$ 243	$ 412	$ 475	$ 7,636	$ (600)	$ 7,729	$ 194	$ 49
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Comprehensive income	[1]	1,542			1,569	(35)		1,534	8
Dividends		(295)			(287)			(287)	(8)
Share repurchases		(1,097)		(98)			999	(1,097)
Employee stock plans, net of tax benefit		112		(10)			(122)	112
Change in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest		6			6			6
Balance as of September 30, 2016 at Sep. 30, 2016		511	$ 412	$ 367	$ 8,924	$ (635)	$ 8,606	$ 462	$ 49
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		$ 82

[1] Excludes $82 million attributable to our redeemable noncontrolling interest.