XML 75 R50.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.8.0.1

Restructuring and Related Charges, Activity for Restructuring and Reinvestment Program Liability (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2018	Apr. 30, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016
Activity for Restructuring and Reinvestment Program liability [Roll Forward]
Restructuring and related charges	$ 28,566	$ 13,355	$ 28,611
Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member]
Activity for Restructuring and Reinvestment Program liability [Roll Forward]
Restructuring liability, beginning of period	22,790
Restructuring and related charges	28,566	13,355	28,611
Payments	(30,595)
Foreign translation & reclassifications	(710)
Restructuring liability, end of period	20,051	22,790
Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] | Severance [Member]
Activity for Restructuring and Reinvestment Program liability [Roll Forward]
Restructuring liability, beginning of period	10,082
Restructuring and related charges	27,213	8,386	16,443
Payments	(21,197)
Foreign translation & reclassifications	1,181
Restructuring liability, end of period	17,279	10,082
Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] | Severance [Member] | Accrued Employment Costs [Member]
Activity for Restructuring and Reinvestment Program liability [Roll Forward]
Restructuring liability, end of period	17,279
Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] | Process Reengineering Consulting [Member]
Activity for Restructuring and Reinvestment Program liability [Roll Forward]
Restructuring liability, beginning of period	0
Restructuring and related charges	1,815	148	7,191
Payments	(1,815)
Foreign translation & reclassifications	0
Restructuring liability, end of period	0	0
Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] | Other Activities [Member]
Activity for Restructuring and Reinvestment Program liability [Roll Forward]
Restructuring liability, beginning of period	12,708
Restructuring and related charges	(462)	4,821	$ 4,977
Payments	(7,583)
Foreign translation & reclassifications	(1,891)
Restructuring liability, end of period	2,772	$ 12,708
Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] | Other Activities [Member] | Other Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Activity for Restructuring and Reinvestment Program liability [Roll Forward]
Restructuring liability, end of period	900
Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] | Other Activities [Member] | Other Long-Term Liabilities [Member]
Activity for Restructuring and Reinvestment Program liability [Roll Forward]
Restructuring liability, end of period	$ 1,900

X

- Definition

Amount of cash payments made as the result of exit or disposal activities. Excludes payments associated with a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 25
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3536-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Amount of expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.P.3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140864-122747

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 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.P.4(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Carrying amount (including both current and noncurrent portions of the accrual) as of the balance sheet date pertaining to a specified type of cost associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring pursuant to a duly authorized plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Amount of foreign currency translation gain (loss) which decreases (increases) the restructuring reserve.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.P.4(b)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis=jwa_RestructuringAndReinvestmentProgramMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis=us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=jwa_EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis=jwa_ProcessReengineeringConsultingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis=us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=us-gaap_OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: