Accounts Receivable, Net (Sale and Discounting of Accounts Receivable) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Oct. 30, 2016	Oct. 25, 2015	Oct. 26, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]
Discounted letters of credit	$ 0	$ 0	$ 29
Accounts receivable sold and discounted promissory notes	75	0	45
Total	$ 75	$ 0	$ 74

Discounted Letters of Credit, Factored Accounts Receivable and Discounted Promissory Notes

No definition available.

Name:	amat_DiscountedLettersofCreditFactoredAccountsReceivableandDiscountedPromissoryNotes
Namespace Prefix:	amat_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration