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Segment Information, Other Significant Reconciling Items by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
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Apr. 30, 2018 | Apr. 30, 2017 | Apr. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items] |  |  |
Expenditures for long lived assets | $ (150,728) | $ (303,427) | $ (151,395)
Depreciation and amortization | 153,989 | 156,561 | 155,849
Operating Segments [Member] | Research [Member] |  |  |
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items] |  |  |
Expenditures for long lived assets | (7,538) | (154,189) | (20,418)
Depreciation and amortization | 33,655 | 29,330 | 26,410
Operating Segments [Member] | Publishing [Member] |  |  |
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items] |  |  |
Expenditures for long lived assets | (23,666) | (29,420) | (35,966)
Depreciation and amortization | 39,495 | 43,831 | 47,108
Operating Segments [Member] | Solutions [Member] |  |  |
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items] |  |  |
Expenditures for long lived assets | (16,786) | (21,210) | (23,344)
Depreciation and amortization | 27,703 | 26,792 | 22,927
Corporate [Member] |  |  |
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items] |  |  |
Expenditures for long lived assets | (102,738) | (98,608) | (71,667)
Depreciation and amortization | $ 53,136 | $ 56,608 | $ 59,404

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