Fair value measurements (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Jul. 31, 2011
Assets
Total assets at fair value	$ 17,883
Liabilities
Deferred compensation plans	6,240
Total liabilities at fair value	6,656
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets
Total assets at fair value	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Rabbi trust [Member]
Assets
Rabbi trust	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Forward exchange contracts [Member]
Assets
Forward exchange contracts	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Liabilities
Deferred compensation plans	6,240
Total liabilities at fair value	6,240
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Forward exchange contracts [Member]
Liabilities
Forward exchange contracts	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets
Total assets at fair value	17,883
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Rabbi trust [Member]
Assets
Rabbi trust	13,897
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Forward exchange contracts [Member]
Assets
Forward exchange contracts	3,986
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Liabilities
Deferred compensation plans	0
Total liabilities at fair value	416
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Forward exchange contracts [Member]
Liabilities
Forward exchange contracts	416
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets
Total assets at fair value	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Rabbi trust [Member]
Assets
Rabbi trust	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Forward exchange contracts [Member]
Assets
Forward exchange contracts	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Liabilities
Deferred compensation plans	0
Total liabilities at fair value	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Forward exchange contracts [Member]
Liabilities
Forward exchange contracts	0
Rabbi trust [Member]
Assets
Rabbi trust	13,897
Forward exchange contracts [Member]
Assets
Forward exchange contracts	3,986
Liabilities
Forward exchange contracts	$ 416

Fair value assets measured on recurring basis.

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Fair value assets measured on recurring basis.

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Fair value liabilities measured on recurring basis.

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Fair value liabilities measured on recurring basis.

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Fair value liabilities measured on recurring basis deferred compensation plan.

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- Definition

This element represents a certain statement of financial position asset caption which represents a class of assets, or which may include an individual asset, measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph a

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- Definition

This element represents a certain statement of financial position liability caption which represents a class of liabilities, or which may include an individual liability, measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph a

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph a

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