CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 2,648,063	$ 2,671,656	$ 2,517,195
Cost of sales	1,276,060	1,291,558	1,232,283
Gross profit	1,372,003	1,380,098	1,284,912
Selling, general and administrative expenses	810,358	843,221	790,279
Research and development	94,216	82,932	80,506
Restructuring and other charges, net	40,182	66,858	26,505
Interest expense, net	15,621	20,177	18,903
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes	411,626	366,910	368,719
Provision for income taxes	81,664	85,963	89,522
Net earnings from continuing operations	329,962	280,947	279,197
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	244,973	38,362	36,299
Net earnings	$ 574,935	$ 319,309	$ 315,496
Earnings per share from continuing operations:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 2.93	$ 2.42	$ 2.40
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.89	$ 2.39	$ 2.36
Earnings per share from discontinued operations:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 2.17	$ 0.33	$ 0.31
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.14	$ 0.32	$ 0.31
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 5.10	$ 2.75	$ 2.71
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 5.03	$ 2.71	$ 2.67
Average shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	112,803	116,061	116,521
Diluted (in shares)	114,236	117,663	118,266