Acquisitions and Divestitures (Divestitures) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement reclassified results of discontinued operations
Revenue	$ 268	$ 295
Expenses	314	357
Operating loss	(46)	(62)
Interest expense (income), net	1	(1)
Loss before taxes on loss	(47)	(61)
Benefit for taxes on loss	16	25
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(31)	(36)
Pre-tax gain on sale from discontinued operations	920	0
Provision for taxes on income	308	0
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax	612	0
Discontinued operations, net	581	(36)
Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	1	1
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. common shareholders	582	(35)
Assets and liabilities reclassified as held for sale
Accounts receivable, net			333
Property and equipment, net			122
Goodwill			469
Other intangible assets, net			156
Inventories, net			235
Prepublication costs			304
Other assets			321
Assets held for sale			1,940
Accounts payable and accrued expenses			123
Unearned revenue			192
Other liabilities			349
Liabilities held for sale			$ 664