Concentration of Risk and Segment Data (Segment Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income	$ 944	$ 261	$ 451
Reconciling items:
Amortization of intangibles	(47)	(56)	(32)
Stock-based compensation expense and related charges	(102)	(83)	(61)
Restructuring, severance and related charges	(10)	(157)	(26)
Gain (loss) on securities	(2)	49	30
Interest income	6	15	21
Interest expense	(130)	(174)	(188)
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income	1,241	864	877
Segment Reconciling Items
Reconciling items:
Amortization of intangibles	(47)	(56)	(32)
Stock-based compensation expense and related charges	(102)	(83)	(61)
Restructuring, severance and related charges	(10)	(157)	(26)
Distressed customer charges	0	(15)	(6)
Business interruption and impairment charges, net	1	(6)	3
Acquisition and integration charges	(4)	(31)	(54)
Gain (loss) on securities	2	(49)	(30)
Other expense (net of periodic benefit cost)	(13)	(47)	(53)
Interest income	6	15	21
Interest expense	(130)	(174)	(188)
EMS | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income	509	374	394
Reconciling items:
Restructuring, severance and related charges	0	(62)	(21)
DMS | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income	732	490	483
Reconciling items:
Restructuring, severance and related charges	$ (9)	$ (76)	$ (3)