2.2.0.25truefalse40902 - Disclosure - Note 9. Derivative Financial Instruments (Balance Sheet Classification of Financial Instruments) (Details)truefalseIn Millionsfalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/31/2011
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$As_Of_1_31_2011http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000104169instant2011-01-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00Unit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170Unit16Dividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0Unit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0Unit15Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/31/2010
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$As_Of_1_31_2010http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000104169instant2010-01-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00Unit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170Unit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0Unit16Dividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0Unit15Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$2false0us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrentus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse41290000004129falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse39420000003942[1]falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of noncurrent assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet due to materiality considerations. Noncurrent assets are expected to be realized or consumed after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 17
-Article 5
falsefalse3false0us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrentus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse4069200000040692falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse3323100000033231[1]falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetarySum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all long-term debt, which is debt initially having maturities due after one year from the balance sheet date or beyond the operating cycle, if longer, but excluding the portions thereof scheduled to be repaid within one year (current maturities) or the normal operating cycle, if longer, and after deducting unamortized discount or premiums, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5
falsefalse4false0wmt_DeferredIncomeTaxAndOtherLiabilitiesNoncurrentwmtfalsecreditinstantRepresents the noncurrent portion of deferred tax liabilities, which result from applying the applicable tax rate to net...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse66820000006682falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse55080000005508[1]falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the noncurrent portion of deferred tax liabilities, which result from applying the applicable tax rate to net taxable temporary differences pertaining to each jurisdiction to which the entity is obligated to pay income tax. A noncurrent taxable temporary difference is a difference between the tax basis and the carrying amount of a noncurrent asset or liability in the financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. In a classified statement of financial position, an enterprise shall separate deferred tax liabilities and assets into a current amount and a noncurrent amount. Deferred tax liabilities and assets shall be classified as current or noncurrent based on the classification of the related asset or liability for financial reporting. A deferred tax liability or asset that is not related to an asset or liability for financial reporting, including deferred tax assets related to carryforwards, shall be classified according to the expected reversal date of the temporary difference. It also includes the aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of noncurrent obligations not separately disclosed in the balance sheet due to materiality considerations. Noncurrent liabilities are expected to be paid after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).No authoritative reference available.falsefalse5false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.walmartstores.com/taxonomy/role/disclosurenote9derivativefinancialinstrumentsbalancesheetclassificationoffinancialinstrumentsdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxis} : Fair Value Instruments [Member]
1/31/2011
USD ($)
$As_Of_1_31_20111132http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000104169instant2011-01-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseFair Value Instruments [Member]us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiwmt_FairValueInstrumentsMemberus-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$4falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxis} : Fair Value Instruments [Member]
1/31/2010
USD ($)
$As_Of_1_31_2010224http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000104169instant2010-01-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseFair Value Instruments [Member]us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiwmt_FairValueInstrumentsMemberus-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse6false0us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrentus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse267000000267falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse260000000260falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of noncurrent assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet due to materiality considerations. Noncurrent assets are expected to be realized or consumed after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 17
-Article 5
falsefalse7false0wmt_AssetSubtotalswmtfalsedebitinstantAsset Subtotalsfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse267000000267falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse260000000260falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAsset SubtotalsNo authoritative reference available.truefalse8false0us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrentus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse267000000267falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse260000000260falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetarySum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all long-term debt, which is debt initially having maturities due after one year from the balance sheet date or beyond the operating cycle, if longer, but excluding the portions thereof scheduled to be repaid within one year (current maturities) or the normal operating cycle, if longer, and after deducting unamortized discount or premiums, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5
falsefalse9false0wmt_DeferredIncomeTaxAndOtherLiabilitiesNoncurrentwmtfalsecreditinstantRepresents the noncurrent portion of deferred tax liabilities, which result from applying the applicable tax rate to net...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00 falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00 falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the noncurrent portion of deferred tax liabilities, which result from applying the applicable tax rate to net taxable temporary differences pertaining to each jurisdiction to which the entity is obligated to pay income tax. A noncurrent taxable temporary difference is a difference between the tax basis and the carrying amount of a noncurrent asset or liability in the financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. In a classified statement of financial position, an enterprise shall separate deferred tax liabilities and assets into a current amount and a noncurrent amount. Deferred tax liabilities and assets shall be classified as current or noncurrent based on the classification of the related asset or liability for financial reporting. A deferred tax liability or asset that is not related to an asset or liability for financial reporting, including deferred tax assets related to carryforwards, shall be classified according to the expected reversal date of the temporary difference. It also includes the aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of noncurrent obligations not separately disclosed in the balance sheet due to materiality considerations. Noncurrent liabilities are expected to be paid after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).No authoritative reference available.falsefalse10false0wmt_LiabilitySubtotalswmtfalsecreditinstantLiability Subtotalsfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse267000000267falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse260000000260falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryLiability SubtotalsNo authoritative reference available.truefalse11false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.walmartstores.com/taxonomy/role/disclosurenote9derivativefinancialinstrumentsbalancesheetclassificationoffinancialinstrumentsdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxis} : Net Investment Hedge [Member]
1/31/2011
USD ($)
$As_Of_1_31_20111133http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000104169instant2011-01-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseNet Investment Hedge [Member]us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiwmt_NetInvestmentHedgeMemberus-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$6falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxis} : Net Investment Hedge [Member]
1/31/2010
USD ($)
$As_Of_1_31_2010225http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000104169instant2010-01-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseNet Investment Hedge [Member]us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiwmt_NetInvestmentHedgeMemberus-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse12false0us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrentus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse233000000233falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse189000000189falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of noncurrent assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet due to materiality considerations. Noncurrent assets are expected to be realized or consumed after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 17
-Article 5
falsefalse13false0wmt_AssetSubtotalswmtfalsedebitinstantAsset Subtotalsfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse233000000233falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse189000000189falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAsset SubtotalsNo authoritative reference available.truefalse14false0us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrentus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00 falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00 falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetarySum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all long-term debt, which is debt initially having maturities due after one year from the balance sheet date or beyond the operating cycle, if longer, but excluding the portions thereof scheduled to be repaid within one year (current maturities) or the normal operating cycle, if longer, and after deducting unamortized discount or premiums, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5
falsefalse15false0wmt_DeferredIncomeTaxAndOtherLiabilitiesNoncurrentwmtfalsecreditinstantRepresents the noncurrent portion of deferred tax liabilities, which result from applying the applicable tax rate to net...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00 falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00 falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the noncurrent portion of deferred tax liabilities, which result from applying the applicable tax rate to net taxable temporary differences pertaining to each jurisdiction to which the entity is obligated to pay income tax. A noncurrent taxable temporary difference is a difference between the tax basis and the carrying amount of a noncurrent asset or liability in the financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. In a classified statement of financial position, an enterprise shall separate deferred tax liabilities and assets into a current amount and a noncurrent amount. Deferred tax liabilities and assets shall be classified as current or noncurrent based on the classification of the related asset or liability for financial reporting. A deferred tax liability or asset that is not related to an asset or liability for financial reporting, including deferred tax assets related to carryforwards, shall be classified according to the expected reversal date of the temporary difference. It also includes the aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of noncurrent obligations not separately disclosed in the balance sheet due to materiality considerations. Noncurrent liabilities are expected to be paid after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).No authoritative reference available.falsefalse16false0wmt_LiabilitySubtotalswmtfalsecreditinstantLiability Subtotalsfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1falsefalsefalse00 falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00 falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryLiability SubtotalsNo authoritative reference available.truefalse17false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.walmartstores.com/taxonomy/role/disclosurenote9derivativefinancialinstrumentsbalancesheetclassificationoffinancialinstrumentsdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxis} : Cash Flow Instruments [Member]
1/31/2011
USD ($)
$As_Of_1_31_201117http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000104169instant2011-01-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCash Flow Instruments [Member]us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiwmt_CashFlowInstrumentsMemberus-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$8falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxis} : Cash Flow Instruments [Member]
1/31/2010
USD ($)
$As_Of_1_31_2010223http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000104169instant2010-01-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCash Flow Instruments [Member]us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiwmt_CashFlowInstrumentsMemberus-gaap_DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse18false0us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrentus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse238000000238falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse286000000286falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of noncurrent assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet due to materiality considerations. Noncurrent assets are expected to be realized or consumed after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 17
-Article 5
falsefalse19false0wmt_AssetSubtotalswmtfalsedebitinstantAsset Subtotalsfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse238000000238falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse286000000286falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAsset SubtotalsNo authoritative reference available.truefalse20false0us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrentus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00 falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00 falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetarySum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all long-term debt, which is debt initially having maturities due after one year from the balance sheet date or beyond the operating cycle, if longer, but excluding the portions thereof scheduled to be repaid within one year (current maturities) or the normal operating cycle, if longer, and after deducting unamortized discount or premiums, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5
falsefalse21false0wmt_DeferredIncomeTaxAndOtherLiabilitiesNoncurrentwmtfalsecreditinstantRepresents the noncurrent portion of deferred tax liabilities, which result from applying the applicable tax rate to net...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1800000018falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse2000000020falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the noncurrent portion of deferred tax liabilities, which result from applying the applicable tax rate to net taxable temporary differences pertaining to each jurisdiction to which the entity is obligated to pay income tax. A noncurrent taxable temporary difference is a difference between the tax basis and the carrying amount of a noncurrent asset or liability in the financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. In a classified statement of financial position, an enterprise shall separate deferred tax liabilities and assets into a current amount and a noncurrent amount. Deferred tax liabilities and assets shall be classified as current or noncurrent based on the classification of the related asset or liability for financial reporting. A deferred tax liability or asset that is not related to an asset or liability for financial reporting, including deferred tax assets related to carryforwards, shall be classified according to the expected reversal date of the temporary difference. It also includes the aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of noncurrent obligations not separately disclosed in the balance sheet due to materiality considerations. Noncurrent liabilities are expected to be paid after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).No authoritative reference available.falsefalse22false0wmt_LiabilitySubtotalswmtfalsecreditinstantLiability Subtotalsfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse1800000018falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse2000000020falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryLiability SubtotalsNo authoritative reference available.truefalse1As Adjusted221Note 9. Derivative Financial Instruments (Balance Sheet Classification of Financial Instruments) (Details) (USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue
