Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2014 segments	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012
Financial results by reportable segment
Total net revenue	$ 714	$ 2,388	$ 782	$ 622	$ 634	$ 2,091	$ 884	$ 562	$ 4,506	$ 4,171	$ 3,808
Total operating income from continuing operations	(57)	1,494	(46)	(77)	(60)	1,282	84	(73)	1,314	1,233	1,168
Unallocated corporate items:
Amortization of acquired technology									(26)	(18)	(10)
Amortization of other acquired intangible assets									(20)	(35)	(23)
Segment Information (Textuals)
Number of Reportable Segments									3
Small Business Segment [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Total net revenue									2,253	2,057	1,779
Total operating income from continuing operations									843	800	712
Consumer Segment [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Total net revenue									1,831	1,708	1,641
Total operating income from continuing operations									1,139	1,035	965
Segment Information (Textuals)
Number of Product Lines	2								2
Professional Tax Segment [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Total net revenue									422	406	388
Total operating income from continuing operations									268	260	248
Operating Segments [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Total operating income from continuing operations									2,250	2,095	1,925
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Unallocated corporate items:
Share-based compensation expense									(204)	(184)	(159)
Other common expenses									(686)	(625)	(565)
Amortization of acquired technology									(26)	(18)	(10)
Amortization of other acquired intangible assets									(20)	(35)	(23)
Total unallocated corporate items									(936)	(862)	(757)
International [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Segment Information (Textuals)
International Total Net Revenue As A Percentage Of Total									5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Consumer tax [Member] | Consumer Segment [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Total net revenue									1,663	1,552	1,488
Consumer Ecosystem [Member] | Consumer Segment [Member]
Financial results by reportable segment
Total net revenue									$ 168	$ 156	$ 153