v2.4.0.6

Employee Benefit Plans (Summary of Share-Based Awards available for Grant) (Detail) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Jul. 28, 2012 | Jul. 30, 2011 | Jul. 31, 2010
Employee Stock Benefit Plans [Abstract] |  |  |
Balance at beginning of fiscal year | 255 | 295 | 253
Options granted |  |  | (4)
Restricted stock, stock units, and other share-based awards granted | (95) | (82) | (81)
Share-based awards canceled/forfeited/expired | 64 | 42 | 123
Other | (6) |  | 4
Balance at end of fiscal year | 218 | 255 | 295

X
- Definition Restricted Stock Units And Other Share Based Awards Granted And Assumed In Period + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | csco_RestrictedStockUnitsAndOtherShareBasedAwardsGrantedAndAssumedInPeriod
Namespace Prefix: | csco_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Share based awards canceled forfeited in period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | csco_ShareBasedAwardsCanceledForfeitedInPeriod
Namespace Prefix: | csco_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Stock Option And Other Share Based Awards Granted + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | csco_StockOptionAndOtherShareBasedAwardsGranted
Namespace Prefix: | csco_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAggregateDisclosuresAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Net number of share options (or share units) granted during the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 123R -Paragraph A240 -Subparagraph b(1)(d) -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 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c)(1)(iv)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration