CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 2,789,147	$ 2,648,063	$ 2,671,656
Cost of sales	1,362,984	1,276,060	1,291,558
Gross profit	1,426,163	1,372,003	1,380,098
Selling, general and administrative expenses	814,461	810,358	843,221
Research and development	102,601	94,216	82,932
Restructuring and other charges, net	40,154	40,182	66,858
Interest expense, net	17,532	15,621	20,177
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes	451,415	411,626	366,910
Provision for income taxes	87,459	81,664	85,963
Net earnings from continuing operations	363,956	329,962	280,947
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	244,973	38,362
Net earnings	$ 363,956	$ 574,935	$ 319,309
Earnings per share from continuing operations:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 3.29	$ 2.93	$ 2.42
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 3.25	$ 2.89	$ 2.39
Earnings per share from discontinued operations:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ 2.17	$ 0.33
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ 2.14	$ 0.32
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 3.29	$ 5.10	$ 2.75
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 3.25	$ 5.03	$ 2.71
Average shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	110,776	112,803	116,061
Diluted (in shares)	111,949	114,236	117,663