Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Income (Loss) Per Share (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Nov. 01, 2014		Oct. 26, 2013		Nov. 01, 2014	Oct. 26, 2013
Numerator for basic income (loss) per share:
Net income (loss) attributable to Barnes & Noble, Inc.	$ 12,298		$ 13,229		$ (16,151)	$ (73,793)
Preferred stock dividends	(3,941)		(3,942)		(7,883)	(7,884)
Accretion of dividends on preferred stock	(758)		(316)		(1,516)	(631)
Less allocation of earnings and dividends to participating securities	(455)		(363)
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	7,144		8,608		(25,550)	(82,308)
Numerator for diluted income (loss) per share:
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	7,144		8,608		(25,550)	(82,308)
Preferred stock dividends	(3,941)		(3,942)		(7,883)	(7,884)
Allocation of earnings and dividends to participating securities	455		363
Accretion of dividends on preferred stock	(758)		(316)		(1,516)	(631)
Less diluted allocation of earnings and dividends to participating securities	(454)		(363)
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	7,145		8,608		(25,550)	(82,308)
Denominator for basic income (loss) per share:
Basic weighted average common shares	59,343		58,956		59,289	58,862
Denominator for diluted income (loss) per share:
Basic weighted average common shares	59,343		58,956		59,289	58,862
Preferred shares	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	0
Average Dilutive Options	66
Diluted weighted average common shares	59,409		58,956		59,289	58,862
Income (loss) per common share:
Basic	$ 0.12		$ 0.15		$ (0.43)	$ (1.40)
Diluted	$ 0.12		$ 0.15		$ (0.43)	$ (1.40)
Diluted Earnings Per Share
Numerator for basic income (loss) per share:
Preferred stock dividends	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	0
Accretion of dividends on preferred stock	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	0
Numerator for diluted income (loss) per share:
Preferred stock dividends	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	0
Accretion of dividends on preferred stock	$ 0	[1]	$ 0	[1]	$ 0	$ 0

[1] Although the Company was in a net income position during the 13 weeks ended November 1, 2014 and the 13 weeks ended October 26, 2013, the dilutive effect of the Company's convertible preferred shares were excluded from the calculation of income per share using the two-class method because the effect would be antidilutive.