Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 1,181	$ 1,035
Expenses:
Operating-related expenses	374	361
Selling and general expenses	494	361
Depreciation	23	22
Amortization of intangibles	12	9
Total expenses	903	753
Operating profit	278	282
Interest expense, net	15	21
Income from continuing operations before taxes on income	263	261
Provision for taxes on income	89	98
Income from continuing operations	174	163
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(31)	(36)
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax	612	0
Discontinued operations, net	581	(36)
Net income	755	127
Less: net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(21)	(5)
Less: net loss from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	1	1
Net income	735	123
Amounts attributable to The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. common shareholders:
Income from continuing operations	153	158
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	582	(35)
Net income	$ 735	$ 123
Basic:
Income from continuing operations (in usd per share)	$ 0.55	$ 0.57
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (in usd per share)	$ 2.07	$ (0.13)
Net income (in usd per share)	$ 2.62	$ 0.44
Diluted:
Income from continuing operations (in usd per share)	$ 0.54	$ 0.56
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (in usd per share)	$ 2.05	$ (0.13)
Net income (in usd per share)	$ 2.59	$ 0.43
Average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	280.5	278.0
Diluted (in shares)	284.3	283.8
Dividend declared per common share (in usd per share)	$ 0.28	$ 0.255