Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011 segments	Oct. 31, 2010
Financial results by reportable segment
Total net revenue	$ 594	$ 532
Total operating income (loss)	(94)	(104)
Unallocated corporate items:
Amortization of acquired technology	(4)	(4)
Amortization of other acquired intangible assets	(21)	(11)
Number of Reportable Segments	7
Reportable Segments [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Total operating income (loss)	114	80
Financial Management Solutions [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	168	154
Total operating income (loss)	42	33
Employee Management Solutions [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	121	107
Total operating income (loss)	75	64
Payment Solutions [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	94	80
Total operating income (loss)	24	12
Consumer Tax [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	41	29
Total operating income (loss)	(28)	(29)
Accounting Professionals [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	27	25
Total operating income (loss)	(14)	(16)
Financial Services [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	89	81
Total operating income (loss)	18	15
Other Businesses [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	54	56
Total operating income (loss)	(3)	1
Unallocated Amount to Segment [Member]
Unallocated corporate items:
Share-based compensation expense	(40)	(35)
Other common expenses	(143)	(134)
Amortization of acquired technology	(4)	(4)
Amortization of other acquired intangible assets	(21)	(11)
Total unallocated corporate items	$ (208)	$ (184)
Maximum [Member] | Segment, Geographical, Groups of Countries, Group One [Member]
Unallocated corporate items:
International Total Net Revenue As A Percentage Of Total	5.00%	5.00%