Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Reconciliation Of Basic And Diluted Loss Per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011
Earnings (Loss) Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to Barnes & Noble, Inc., basic	$ 52,031	$ 60,583	$ (11,138)	$ (14,503)
Accrual of preferred stock dividends, basic	(3,963)		(7,081)
Accrual of preferred stock dividends, diluted	3,963
Accretion of dividends on preferred stock, basic	(316)		(578)
Accretion of dividends on preferred stock, diluted	316
Less allocation of earnings and dividends to participating securities, basic	(2,735)	(3,329)
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders, basic	45,017	57,254	(18,797)	(14,503)
Effect of dilutive options	3	6
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders, diluted	49,299	57,260	(18,797)	(14,503)
Basic weighted average common shares	57,371	56,894	57,261	56,457
Preferred shares	$ 12,000
Average dilutive options	76	142
Diluted weighted average common shares	69,447	57,036	57,261	56,457
Net income (loss) attributable to Barnes & Noble, Inc. - Basic	$ 0.78	$ 1.01	$ (0.33)	$ (0.26)
Net income (loss) attributable to Barnes & Noble, Inc. - Diluted	$ 0.71	$ 1.00	$ (0.33)	$ (0.26)