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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items] |  |  |
Carrying value of trade name and licenses | $ 714 | $ 714 |
Weighted-average life of the intangible assets | 12 years |  |
Amortization of intangibles | $ 98 | 96 | $ 67
Maximum |  |  |
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items] |  |  |
Weighted-average life of the intangible assets | 20 years |  |
Dow Jones Index | Intellectual Property |  |  |
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items] |  |  |
Carrying value of trade name and licenses | $ 380 | 380 |
Dow Jones Index | Tradenames |  |  |
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items] |  |  |
Carrying value of trade name and licenses | 90 | 90 |
Market and Commodities Intelligence |  |  |
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items] |  |  |
Amortization of intangibles | 87 | 85 | 57
Market and Commodities Intelligence | Tradenames |  |  |
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items] |  |  |
Carrying value of trade name and licenses | 185 | 185 |
Indices |  |  |
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items] |  |  |
Amortization of intangibles | 7 | 6 | $ 5
Indices | Goldman Sachs Commodity and Broad Market Intellectual Property |  |  |
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items] |  |  |
Carrying value of trade name and licenses | $ 59 | $ 59 |

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- Definition The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388964&loc=d3e16225-109274 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66006027&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
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- Definition Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance and having a projected indefinite period of benefit. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66006027&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
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