Shareholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
Apr. 28, 2017
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Shareholders' Equity	Shareholders’ Equity Share Capital Medtronic plc is authorized to issue 2.6 billion Ordinary Shares, $0.0001 par value; 40 thousand Euro Deferred Shares, €1.00 par value; 127.5 million Preferred Shares, $0.20 par value; and 500 thousand A Preferred Shares, $1.00 par value. Euro Deferred Shares The authorized share capital of the Company includes 40 thousand Euro Deferred Shares, with a par value of €1.00 per share. As of April 28, 2017, no Euro Deferred Shares were issued or outstanding. Preferred Shares The authorized share capital of the Company includes 127.5 million of Preferred Shares, with a par value of $0.20 per share. As of April 28, 2017, no Preferred Shares were issued or outstanding. A Preferred Shares The Company issued 624 A Preferred Shares, par value $1.00, each to three of its advisors in connection with the transaction agreement associated with the Covidien acquisition dated June 15, 2014, for a total of 1,872 A Preferred Shares outstanding with an aggregate consideration of $75 thousand. The holders of A Preferred Shares are entitled to payment of dividends prior to any other class of shares in the Company equal to twice the dividend to be paid per Company ordinary share. On a return of assets, whether on liquidation or otherwise, the A Preferred Shares are entitled to repayment of the capital paid up thereon in priority to any repayment of capital to the holders of any other shares and the holders of the A Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to any further participation in the assets or profits of the Company. The holders of the A Preferred Shares are not entitled to receive notice of, nor to attend, speak, or vote at any general meeting of the Company. Dividends The timing, declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of our ordinary and A Preferred shares falls within the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors and depends upon many factors, including the statutory requirements of Irish law, the Company's earnings and financial condition, the capital requirements of our businesses, industry practice and any other factors the Board of Directors deems relevant. Ordinary Share Repurchase Program Shares are repurchased from time to time to support the Company’s stock-based compensation programs and to return capital to shareholders. During fiscal years 2017 and 2016, the Company repurchased approximately 43 million and 38 million shares, respectively, at an average price of $83.03 and $74.92, respectively. In June 2015, the Company's Board of Directors authorized, subject to the ongoing existence of sufficient distributable reserves, the redemption of 80 million of the Company's ordinary shares. As of April 28, 2017, the Company had used 51 million of the 80 million shares authorized under the repurchase program, leaving approximately 29 million shares available for future repurchases. In June 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors replaced the existing June 2015 authorization to redeem up to an aggregate number of ordinary shares with an authorization to expend up to an aggregate amount of $5 billion beginning June 26, 2017 to redeem the Company’s ordinary shares. The Company accounts for repurchases of ordinary shares using the par value method and shares repurchased are canceled.

Shareholders’ Equity

Share Capital

Medtronic plc is authorized to issue 2.6 billion Ordinary Shares, $0.0001 par value; 40 thousand Euro Deferred Shares, €1.00 par value; 127.5 million Preferred Shares, $0.20 par value; and 500 thousand A Preferred Shares, $1.00 par value.

Euro Deferred Shares

The authorized share capital of the Company includes 40 thousand Euro Deferred Shares, with a par value of €1.00 per share. As of April 28, 2017, no Euro Deferred Shares were issued or outstanding.

Preferred Shares

The authorized share capital of the Company includes 127.5 million of Preferred Shares, with a par value of $0.20 per share. As of April 28, 2017, no Preferred Shares were issued or outstanding.

A Preferred Shares

The Company issued 624 A Preferred Shares, par value $1.00, each to three of its advisors in connection with the transaction agreement associated with the Covidien acquisition dated June 15, 2014, for a total of 1,872 A Preferred Shares outstanding with an aggregate consideration of $75 thousand. The holders of A Preferred Shares are entitled to payment of dividends prior to any other class of shares in the Company equal to twice the dividend to be paid per Company ordinary share. On a return of assets, whether on liquidation or otherwise, the A Preferred Shares are entitled to repayment of the capital paid up thereon in priority to any repayment of capital to the holders of any other shares and the holders of the A Preferred Shares shall not be entitled to any further participation in the assets or profits of the Company. The holders of the A Preferred Shares are not entitled to receive notice of, nor to attend, speak, or vote at any general meeting of the Company.

Dividends

The timing, declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of our ordinary and A Preferred shares falls within the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors and depends upon many factors, including the statutory requirements of Irish law, the Company's earnings and financial condition, the capital requirements of our businesses, industry practice and any other factors the Board of Directors deems relevant.

Ordinary Share Repurchase Program

Shares are repurchased from time to time to support the Company’s stock-based compensation programs and to return capital to shareholders. During fiscal years 2017 and 2016, the Company repurchased approximately 43 million and 38 million shares, respectively, at an average price of $83.03 and $74.92, respectively. In June 2015, the Company's Board of Directors authorized, subject to the ongoing existence of sufficient distributable reserves, the redemption of 80 million of the Company's ordinary shares. As of April 28, 2017, the Company had used 51 million of the 80 million shares authorized under the repurchase program, leaving approximately 29 million shares available for future repurchases. In June 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors replaced the existing June 2015 authorization to redeem up to an aggregate number of ordinary shares with an authorization to expend up to an aggregate amount of $5 billion beginning June 26, 2017 to redeem the Company’s ordinary shares. The Company accounts for repurchases of ordinary shares using the par value method and shares repurchased are canceled.