v2.4.0.6

Fair Value (Fair Value On Nonrecurring Basis) (Detail) (Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring, USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Jul. 28, 2012 | Jul. 30, 2011 | Jul. 31, 2010
Recognized Gain (Loss) for the Period |  |  |
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |
Recognized (gain) loss for period | $ (434) | $ (273) | $ (137)
Recognized Gain (Loss) for the Period | Property Held For Sale |  |  |
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |
Recognized (gain) loss for period | (413) | (38) | (86)
Recognized Gain (Loss) for the Period | Investments In Privately Held Companies |  |  |
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |
Recognized (gain) loss for period | (23) | (10) | (25)
Recognized Gain (Loss) for the Period | Purchased Intangible Assets |  |  |
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |
Recognized (gain) loss for period | (12) | (164) | (28)
Recognized Gain (Loss) for the Period | Manufacturing operations held for sale |  |  |
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |
Recognized (gain) loss for period |  | (61) |
Recognized Gain (Loss) for the Period | Assets |  |  |
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |
Recognized (gain) loss for period | 14 |  | 2
Net Carrying Value |  |  |
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |
Property held for sale | 63 | 20 | 25
Investments in privately held companies | 47 | 13 | 45
Purchased intangible assets |  |  |
Manufacturing operations held for sale |  | $ 167 |

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- Definition Acquired Intangible Assets Fair Value Disclosure + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | csco_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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- Details
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Namespace Prefix: | csco_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Manufacturing operations held for sale. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | csco_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Property Held For Sale Fair Value Disclosure + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | csco_PropertyHeldForSaleFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix: | csco_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents investment securities as of the balance sheet date which may include marketable securities, derivative financial instruments, and investments accounted for under the equity method. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Available-for-Sale Securities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6505594 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 25 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6379932&loc=d3e22054-111558 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Trading Securities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6526789 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph a -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 7 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph a, f, g Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 35 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6956420&loc=d3e24584-111560 + Details
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Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition The aggregate amount of other nonrecurring expenses, not previously categorized, that are infrequent in occurrence or unusual in nature. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6365513&loc=d3e15122-107781 + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration