2.2.0.25truefalse40501 - Disclosure - Note 5. Restructuring Charges (Restructuring Charges) (Details)truefalseIn Millions, unless otherwise specifiedfalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse2/1/2009 - 1/31/2010
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$Duration_2_1_2009_To_1_31_2010http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000104169duration2009-02-01T00:00:002010-01-31T00:00:00Unit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170Unit16Dividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0Unit15Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0Unit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2false0us-gaap_AssetImpairmentChargesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse133000000133falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe charge against earnings resulting from the aggregate write down of all assets from their carrying value to their fair value.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 28
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 144
-Paragraph 45, 46, 47
falsefalse3false0us-gaap_SeveranceCostsus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse127000000127falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe charge against earnings in the period for known and estimated costs of termination benefits provided to current employees that are involuntarily terminated under a benefit arrangement associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a duly authorized plan, excluding costs or losses pertaining to an entity newly acquired in a business combination or a discontinued operation as defined by generally accepted accounting principles and costs associated with one-time termination benefits.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5-8
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 146
-Paragraph 8-13, 20
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 5
-Section P
-Subsection 3, 4
Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
-Number FAS146-1
Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 112
-Paragraph 7
falsefalse4false0us-gaap_RestructuringChargesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse260000000260falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount charged against earnings in the period for incurred and estimated costs, excluding asset retirement obligations, associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a program that is planned and controlled by management, and materially changes either the scope of a business undertaken by an entity, or the manner in which that business is conducted.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 5
-Section P
-Subsection 3, 4
truefalse5false0wmt_FairValueOfRealEstatewmtfalsedebitinstantFair Value of Real Estatefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse4600000046falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFair Value of Real EstateNo authoritative reference available.falsefalse6false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.walmartstores.com/taxonomy/role/disclosurenote5restructuringchargesrestructuringchargesdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Walmart U.S. [Member]
2/1/2009 - 1/31/2010
USD ($)
$Duration_2_1_2009_To_1_31_20104http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000104169duration2009-02-01T00:00:002010-01-31T00:00:00falsefalseWalmart U.S. [Member]us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiwmt_WalmartUSMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse7false0us-gaap_AssetImpairmentChargesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00 falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe charge against earnings resulting from the aggregate write down of all assets from their carrying value to their fair value.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 28
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 144
-Paragraph 45, 46, 47
falsefalse8false0us-gaap_SeveranceCostsus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse7300000073falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe charge against earnings in the period for known and estimated costs of termination benefits provided to current employees that are involuntarily terminated under a benefit arrangement associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a duly authorized plan, excluding costs or losses pertaining to an entity newly acquired in a business combination or a discontinued operation as defined by generally accepted accounting principles and costs associated with one-time termination benefits.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5-8
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 146
-Paragraph 8-13, 20
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 5
-Section P
-Subsection 3, 4
Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
-Number FAS146-1
Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 112
-Paragraph 7
falsefalse9false0us-gaap_RestructuringChargesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse7300000073falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount charged against earnings in the period for incurred and estimated costs, excluding asset retirement obligations, associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a program that is planned and controlled by management, and materially changes either the scope of a business undertaken by an entity, or the manner in which that business is conducted.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 5
-Section P
-Subsection 3, 4
truefalse10false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.walmartstores.com/taxonomy/role/disclosurenote5restructuringchargesrestructuringchargesdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Sam's Club [Member]
2/1/2009 - 1/31/2010
USD ($)
$Duration_2_1_2009_To_1_31_20103http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000104169duration2009-02-01T00:00:002010-01-31T00:00:00falsefalseSam's Club [Member]us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiwmt_SamsClubMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberUnit15Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0Unit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse11false0wmt_NumberOfClubsClosedwmtfalsenadurationNumber of clubs closedfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1010falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:positiveIntegerItemTypepositiveintegerNumber of clubs closedNo authoritative reference available.falsefalse12false0us-gaap_AssetImpairmentChargesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse133000000133falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe charge against earnings resulting from the aggregate write down of all assets from their carrying value to their fair value.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 28
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 144
-Paragraph 45, 46, 47
falsefalse13false0us-gaap_SeveranceCostsus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse4100000041falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe charge against earnings in the period for known and estimated costs of termination benefits provided to current employees that are involuntarily terminated under a benefit arrangement associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a duly authorized plan, excluding costs or losses pertaining to an entity newly acquired in a business combination or a discontinued operation as defined by generally accepted accounting principles and costs associated with one-time termination benefits.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5-8
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 146
-Paragraph 8-13, 20
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 5
-Section P
-Subsection 3, 4
Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
-Number FAS146-1
Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 112
-Paragraph 7
falsefalse14false0us-gaap_RestructuringChargesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse174000000174falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount charged against earnings in the period for incurred and estimated costs, excluding asset retirement obligations, associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a program that is planned and controlled by management, and materially changes either the scope of a business undertaken by an entity, or the manner in which that business is conducted.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 5
-Section P
-Subsection 3, 4
truefalse15false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.walmartstores.com/taxonomy/role/disclosurenote5restructuringchargesrestructuringchargesdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Other Segments [Member]
2/1/2009 - 1/31/2010
USD ($)
$Duration_2_1_2009_To_1_31_20102http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000104169duration2009-02-01T00:00:002010-01-31T00:00:00falsefalseOther Segments [Member]us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiwmt_OtherSegmentsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse16false0us-gaap_AssetImpairmentChargesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00 falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe charge against earnings resulting from the aggregate write down of all assets from their carrying value to their fair value.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 28
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 144
-Paragraph 45, 46, 47
falsefalse17false0us-gaap_SeveranceCostsus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse1300000013falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe charge against earnings in the period for known and estimated costs of termination benefits provided to current employees that are involuntarily terminated under a benefit arrangement associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a duly authorized plan, excluding costs or losses pertaining to an entity newly acquired in a business combination or a discontinued operation as defined by generally accepted accounting principles and costs associated with one-time termination benefits.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5-8
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 146
-Paragraph 8-13, 20
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 5
-Section P
-Subsection 3, 4
Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
-Number FAS146-1
Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 112
-Paragraph 7
falsefalse18false0us-gaap_RestructuringChargesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse1300000013falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount charged against earnings in the period for incurred and estimated costs, excluding asset retirement obligations, associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a program that is planned and controlled by management, and materially changes either the scope of a business undertaken by an entity, or the manner in which that business is conducted.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 5
-Section P
-Subsection 3, 4
truefalse117Note 5. Restructuring Charges (Restructuring Charges) (Details) (USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruetrue