Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012 segments	Oct. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Reportable Segments	7
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	$ 647	$ 575
Operating income	(69)	(84)
Unallocated corporate items:
Amortization of acquired technology	(5)	(3)
Amortization of other acquired intangible assets	(7)	(21)
Reportable Segments [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Operating income	149	123
Financial Management Solutions [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	180	149
Operating income	58	51
Employee Management Solutions [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	135	121
Operating income	85	75
Payment Solutions [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	114	94
Operating income	22	24
Consumer Tax [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	36	41
Operating income	(27)	(28)
Accounting Professionals [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	32	27
Operating income	(10)	(14)
Financial Services [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	93	89
Operating income	15	18
Other Businesses [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Net revenue	57	54
Operating income	6	(3)
Unallocated Amount to Segment [Member]
Unallocated corporate items:
Share-based compensation expense	(49)	(40)
Other common expenses	(157)	(143)
Amortization of acquired technology	(5)	(3)
Amortization of other acquired intangible assets	(7)	(21)
Total unallocated corporate items	$ (218)	$ (207)
Maximum [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
International Total Net Revenue As A Percentage Of Total	5.00%	5.00%