Pension, Postretirement Health Care and Other Benefits (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2011	May 01, 2010	Jan. 29, 2011
Pension, Postretirement Health Care and Other Benefits
Nonqualified unfunded deferred compensation plan for members whose participation in 401(k) plan is limited, number of employees (in number of individuals)	3,500
Unfunded nonqualified deferred compensation plan for members whose participation in 401(k) plan is limited, percent credited to accounts of active participants (as a percent)	2.00%
Nonqualified unfunded deferred compensation plan frozen in 1996, number of current active and retired participants (in number of individuals)	100
Nonqualified unfunded deferred compensation plan frozen in 1996, additional rate of return above market levels (as a percent)	6.00%
Nonqualified unfunded deferred compensation plan frozen in 1996, minimum rate of return (as a percent)	12.00%
Nonqualified unfunded deferred compensation plan frozen in 1996, maximum rate of return (as a percent)	20.00%
Change in fair value for contracts indexed to Target common stock, recognized in earnings, pretax	$ (7)	$ 7
Prepaid Forward Contracts on Target Common Stock
Repurchase of stock (in shares)	15.4	7.5
Prepaid forward contracts
Prepaid Forward Contracts on Target Common Stock
Investments in contracts indexed to Target common stock	16
Repurchase of stock (in shares)	0.1	0.3
Number of Shares (in shares)	1.3	1.2	1.2
Contractual Price Paid per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 45.12	$ 41.67	$ 44.09
Fair Value	65	69	63
Total Cash Investment	$ 60	$ 51	$ 51

The number of current and retired participants covered under a nonqualified, unfunded deferred compensation plan for members whose participation in the 401(k) plan is limited by statute or regulation.

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- Definition

The annual percentage credited to the accounts of active participants under a nonqualified, unfunded deferred compensation plan for members whose participation in the 401(k) plan is limited by statute or regulation.

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- Definition

The maximum rate of return that is earned by a nonqualified, unfunded deferred compensation plan which was frozen in 1996.

+ Details

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- Definition

The minimum rate of return that is earned by a nonqualified, unfunded deferred compensation plan which was frozen in 1996.

+ Details

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- Definition

The number of active and retired participants covered under a nonqualified, unfunded deferred compensation plan which was frozen in 1996.

+ Details

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- Definition

The additional rate of return above market levels of interest rates that is earned by a nonqualified, unfunded deferred compensation plan which was frozen in 1996.

+ Details

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- Definition

The cash investment of the contract indexed to the entity's common stock.

+ Details

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- Details

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- Definition

Aggregate net gain (loss) on all derivative instruments recognized in earnings during the period, before tax effects.

+ Details

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- Definition

The number of issuer's shares to which the option contract is indexed.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 00-19
-Paragraph 50

+ Details

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- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

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- Definition

The exercise (or strike) price stated in the contract. The fixed price at which the option holder can purchase, in the case of a call option, or sell, in the case of a put option, on the underlying security.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 00-19
-Paragraph 50

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- Definition

Fair value of all derivative assets not designated as a hedging instrument.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 10

+ Details

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- Definition

The net cash outflow (inflow) associated with derivative instruments, such as swaps, forwards, options, and so forth, excluding those designated as hedges.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph FN4

+ Details

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- Definition

Number of shares that have been repurchased and retired during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 12
-Paragraph 10

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Article 3

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 29, 30
-Article 5

+ Details

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