v3.8.0.1
Business Segments - Segment information (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Sep. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2017
Mar. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Sep. 30, 2016
Jun. 30, 2016
Mar. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Business Segment Information                      
Net sales $ 7,990 $ 8,172 $ 7,810 $ 7,685 $ 7,329 $ 7,709 $ 7,662 $ 7,409 $ 31,657 $ 30,109 $ 30,274
Operating Income                 7,820 7,223 6,946
Assets 37,987       32,906       37,987 32,906 32,883
Depreciation and amortization                 1,544 1,474 1,435
Capital expenditures                 1,373 1,420 1,461
Business Segments. | Industrial                      
Business Segment Information                      
Net sales                 10,911 10,399 10,388
Operating Income                 2,289 2,395 2,277
Assets 9,895       9,140       9,895 9,140 9,205
Depreciation and amortization                 432 407 374
Capital expenditures                 435 360 317
Business Segments. | Safety and Graphics                      
Business Segment Information                      
Net sales                 6,148 5,881 5,736
Operating Income                 2,067 1,423 1,332
Assets 9,874       7,626       9,874 7,626 7,709
Depreciation and amortization                 275 277 258
Capital expenditures                 184 228 207
Business Segments. | Health Care                      
Business Segment Information                      
Net sales                 5,813 5,566 5,449
Operating Income                 1,781 1,763 1,730
Assets 4,757       4,293       4,757 4,293 4,391
Depreciation and amortization                 246 175 179
Capital expenditures                 83 136 168
Business Segments. | Electronics and Energy                      
Business Segment Information                      
Net sales                 5,159 4,643 5,069
Operating Income                 1,254 1,041 1,083
Assets 4,395       4,418       4,395 4,418 4,645
Depreciation and amortization                 175 229 279
Capital expenditures                 165 200 203
Business Segments. | Consumer                      
Business Segment Information                      
Net sales                 4,589 4,484 4,429
Operating Income                 993 1,065 1,048
Assets 2,706       2,497       2,706 2,497 2,386
Depreciation and amortization                 112 114 108
Capital expenditures                 109 109 124
Corporate and Unallocated                      
Business Segment Information                      
Net sales                 1 7 (2)
Operating Income                 (352) (272) (349)
Assets $ 6,360       $ 4,932       6,360 4,932 4,547
Depreciation and amortization                 304 272 237
Capital expenditures                 397 387 442
Elimination of Dual Credit                      
Business Segment Information                      
Net sales                 (964) (871) (795)
Operating Income                 $ (212) $ (192) $ (175)