Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 24, 2014	Jan. 25, 2013	Jan. 24, 2014	Jan. 25, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 4,163	$ 4,027	$ 12,440	$ 12,130
Costs and expenses:
Cost of products sold	1,050	999	3,162	2,992
Research and development expense	360	376	1,092	1,148
Selling, general, and administrative expense	1,454	1,401	4,308	4,223
Special Charges	0	0	40	0
Restructuring (credits) charges, net	(15)	0	3	0
Certain litigation charges, net	0	0	24	245
Acquisition-related items	200	(55)	104	(44)
Amortization of intangible assets	89	88	263	247
Other expense, net	45	17	122	119
Interest expense, net	25	46	98	103
Total costs and expenses	3,208	2,872	9,216	9,033
Earnings before income taxes	955	1,155	3,224	3,097
Provision for income taxes	193	167	607	599
Net earnings	$ 762	$ 988	$ 2,617	$ 2,498
Basic earnings per share:
Net earnings (usd per share)	$ 0.76	$ 0.98	$ 2.61	$ 2.45
Diluted earnings per share:
Net earnings (usd per share)	$ 0.75	$ 0.97	$ 2.58	$ 2.43
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (shares)	998.3	1,012.5	1,002.7	1,020.7
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (shares)	1,010.0	1,021.0	1,014.0	1,028.7
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.28	$ 0.26	$ 0.84	$ 0.78