Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Oct. 29, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015	Oct. 29, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015
Numerator for basic loss per share:
Net loss from continuing operations attributable to Barnes & Noble, Inc.	$ (20,409)	$ (27,203)	$ (34,825)	$ (34,954)
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				(4,204)
Less allocation of dividends to participating securities	(188)	(332)	(391)	(692)
Net loss from continuing operations available to common shareholders	(20,597)	(27,535)	(35,216)	(45,290)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Barnes & Noble, Inc.		(12,023)		(39,146)
Net loss available to common shareholders	(20,597)	(39,558)	(35,216)	(84,436)
Numerator for diluted loss per share:
Net loss from continuing operations available to common shareholders	(20,597)	(27,535)	(35,216)	(45,290)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Barnes & Noble, Inc.		(12,023)		(39,146)
Net loss available to common shareholders	$ (20,597)	$ (39,558)	$ (35,216)	$ (84,436)
Denominator for basic and diluted loss per share:
Basic and diluted weighted average common shares	72,212	75,557	72,558	70,552
Basic loss per common share:
Loss from continuing operations	$ (0.29)	$ (0.36)	$ (0.49)	$ (0.64)
Loss from discontinued operations		(0.16)		(0.55)
Basic loss per common share	(0.29)	(0.52)	(0.49)	(1.20)
Diluted loss per common share:
Loss from continuing operations	(0.29)	(0.36)	(0.49)	(0.64)
Loss from discontinued operations		(0.16)		(0.55)
Diluted loss per common share	$ (0.29)	$ (0.52)	$ (0.49)	$ (1.20)