Shareholders' Equity (Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011
Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]
Net income	$ 2,182	$ 1,521	$ 3,959	$ 3,451
Change in unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of tax benefit (expense) of $15 and $43, for the three and six months ended January 28, 2012, respectively, and $(30) and $(47) for the corresponding periods of fiscal 2011, respectively	(14)	74	(73)	116
Change in derivative instruments	(18)	(30)	(68)	19
Change in cumulative translation adjustment and other, net of tax benefit (expense) of $10 and $31, for the three and six months ended January 28, 2012, respectively, and $(5) and $(15) for the corresponding periods of fiscal 2011, respectively	(106)	7	(317)	245
Comprehensive income	2,044	1,572	3,501	3,831
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	7	(25)	14	(27)
Comprehensive income attributable to Cisco Systems, Inc.	2,051	1,547	3,515	3,804
Unrealized gains and losses on investments, tax benefit (expense)	15	(30)	43	(47)
Cumulative translation adjustments and other, tax benefit (expense)	$ 10	$ (5)	$ 31	$ (15)