Name:	baba_CostAndEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	baba_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Purchases of and additional investments in equity method investments during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	baba_EquityMethodInvestmentsAcquired
Namespace Prefix:	baba_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The carrying value of equity method investments disposed of or distributions received during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	baba_EquityMethodInvestmentsDisposalsAndDistributionsReceived
Namespace Prefix:	baba_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of increase (decrease) in equity method investments due to the effect of foreign currency translation adjustments.

No definition available.

Name:	baba_EquityMethodInvestmentsForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustments
Namespace Prefix:	baba_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item also includes share of results, other comprehensive income (loss) and other reserves related to equity method investees.

No definition available.

Name:	baba_EquityMethodInvestmentsShareOfResultsIncomeLossOtherComprehensiveIncomeAndOtherReserves
Namespace Prefix:	baba_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The carrying value of equity method investments transferred in or out during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	baba_EquityMethodInvestmentsTransfers
Namespace Prefix:	baba_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

This item represents an other than temporary decline in value that has been recognized against an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the investment represents the amount of the write down which is or was reflected in earnings. The written down value is a new cost basis with the adjusted value of the investment becoming its new carrying value subject to the equity accounting method. Evidence of a loss in value might include, but would not necessarily be limited to, absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity which would justify the carrying amount of the investment.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 35
-Paragraph 32
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118954474&loc=d3e32787-111569

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109237563&loc=d3e33749-111570

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 25
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115929826&loc=d3e8813-108599

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682