Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 30, 2016	Aug. 01, 2015
Numerator for basic loss per share:
Net loss from continuing operations attributable to Barnes & Noble, Inc.	$ (14,416)	$ (7,751)
Less allocation of dividends to participating securities	(203)
Inducement fee paid upon conversion of Series J preferred stock		(3,657)
Preferred stock dividends paid in shares		(1,783)
Accretion of dividends on preferred stock and membership units		(4,204)
Net loss from continuing operations available to common shareholders	(14,619)	(17,395)
Net loss from discontinued operations available to common shareholders		(27,123)
Net loss available to common shareholders	(14,619)	(44,518)
Numerator for diluted loss per share:
Net loss from continuing operations available to common shareholders	(14,619)	(17,395)
Net loss from discontinued operations available to common shareholders		(27,123)
Net loss available to common shareholders	$ (14,619)	$ (44,518)
Denominator for basic and diluted loss per share:
Basic and diluted weighted average common shares	72,903	65,547
Basic loss per common share
Loss from continuing operations	$ (0.20)	$ (0.27)
Loss from discontinued operations		(0.41)
Basic loss per common share	(0.20)	(0.68)
Diluted loss per common share:
Loss from continuing operations	(0.20)	(0.27)
Loss from discontinued operations		(0.41)
Diluted loss per common share	$ (0.20)	$ (0.68)