Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Income (Loss) Per Share (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015		Jan. 25, 2014		Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 25, 2014
Numerator for basic income (loss) per share:
Net income (loss) attributable to Barnes & Noble, Inc.	$ 72,168		$ 63,230		$ 56,017	$ (10,564)
Preferred stock dividends	(3,942)		(3,942)		(11,825)	(11,825)
Accretion of dividends on preferred stock	(5,507)		(316)		(7,024)	(947)
Less allocation of earnings and dividends to participating securities	(3,380)		(2,604)		(2,171)
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	59,339		56,368		34,997	(23,336)
Numerator for diluted income (loss) per share:
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	59,339		56,368		34,997	(23,336)
Preferred stock dividends	3,942	[1]	3,942	[1]
Accretion of dividends on preferred stock	5,507	[1],[2]	316	[1],[2]
Allocation of earnings and dividends to participating securities	3,380		2,604		2,171
Less diluted allocation of earnings and dividends to participating securities	(3,278)		(2,338)		(2,168)
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$ 68,890		$ 60,892		$ 35,000	$ (23,336)
Denominator for basic income (loss) per share:
Basic weighted average common shares	61,589		59,033		60,056	58,919
Denominator for diluted income (loss) per share:
Basic weighted average common shares	61,589		59,033		60,056	58,919
Preferred shares	12,000	[1]	12,000	[1]
Average dilutive options	122				72
Diluted weighted average common shares	73,711		71,033		60,128	58,919
Income (loss) per common share:
Basic	$ 0.96		$ 0.95		$ 0.58	$ (0.40)
Diluted	$ 0.93		$ 0.86		$ 0.58	$ (0.40)

[1] Although the Company was in a net income position during the 39 weeks ended January 31, 2015, 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.

[2] Includes accretion of dividends on the preferred membership interests, of which $4,897 was accelerated during the 13 weeks ended January 31, 2015 in connection with the re-acquired preferred membership interests.