Restructuring and Impairments - Restructuring Reserve by Type (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	$ 18us-gaap_RestructuringReserve	$ 30us-gaap_RestructuringReserve	$ 20us-gaap_RestructuringReserve	$ 34us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	7	11
Payments for Restructuring	8us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring	15us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment	(1)	0
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	10	16	8	15
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	7	9
Payments for Restructuring	4	8
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment	(1)	0
Employee Relocation [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve		0		0
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost		1
Payments for Restructuring		1
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment		0
Lease Vacancy [Member] [Domain]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	7	15	11	18
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	0	1
Payments for Restructuring	4	4
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment	0	0
Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	1	(1)	1	1
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	0	0
Payments for Restructuring	0	2
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment	$ 0	$ 0

Amount of cash payments made as the result of exit or disposal activities. Excludes payments associated with a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Discloses the amount charged against the accrued restructuring reserves, or earnings if not previously accrued, during the period for the specified type of restructuring cost.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section P

-Subsection 3, 4

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount (including both current and noncurrent portions of the accrual) as of the balance sheet date pertaining to a specified type of cost associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring pursuant to a duly authorized plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section P

-Subsection 3, 4

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of any reversal and other adjustment made during the period to the amount of a previously accrued liability for a specified type of restructuring cost, excluding adjustments for costs incurred during the period, costs settled during the period, and foreign currency translation adjustments.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis=nav_LeaseVacancyMemberDomain
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis=us-gaap_EmployeeRelocationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis=us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis=us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: