XML 110 R85.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.19.2

Capital Stock and Changes in Capital Accounts (Details) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Apr. 30, 2019 Vote $ / shares shares | Apr. 30, 2018 $ / shares shares | Apr. 30, 2017 $ / shares shares
2017 Share Repurchase Program [Member] |  |  |
Capital Stock [Abstract] |  |  |
Additional shares of common stock approved for repurchase under the share repurchase program (in shares) |  |  | 4,000,000
Average price of shares repurchased during the period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares |  | $ 55.65 | $ 52.80
Remaining number of shares authorized to be repurchased under the share repurchase program (in shares) | 1,888,975 |  |
Changes in Common Stock in Treasury [Abstract] |  |  |
Purchase of treasury shares (in shares) |  | 713,177 | 953,188
Class A [Member] |  |  |
Common Stock [Abstract] |  |  |
Class A Common shares into which each share of Class B Common Stock is convertible (in shares) | 1 |  |
Percentage of the Board of Directors elected by Class A common stockholders | 30.00% |  |
Number of votes to which each share of common stock is entitled | Vote | 0.1 |  |
Changes in Common Stock [Abstract] |  |  |
Number of shares, beginning of year | 70,110,603 | 70,086,000 | 69,798,000
Common stock class conversions and other | 16,000 | 25,000 | 288,000
Number of shares issued, end of year (in shares) | 70,126,963 | 70,110,603 | 70,086,000
Changes in Common Stock in Treasury [Abstract] |  |  |
Number of shares held, beginning of year (in shares) | 21,853,257 | 22,097,000 | 21,709,000
Purchase of treasury shares (in shares) | 1,192,000 | 713,000 | 953,000
Stock grants of fully vested Class A shares - common stock (in shares) | 0 | (20,000) | (24,000)
Restricted shares, forfeited (in shares) | 9,000 | 15,000 | 8,000
Restricted shares issued from exercise of stock options (in shares) | (229,000) | (788,000) | (469,000)
Shares withheld for taxes (in shares) | 130,000 | 116,000 | 97,000
Other (in shares) | (1,000) | (1,000) | 83,000
Number of shares held, end of year (in shares) | 22,633,869 | 21,853,257 | 22,097,000
Number of Common Stock outstanding, end of year (in shares) | 47,493,000 | 48,258,000 | 47,989,000
Class A [Member] | Non-Performance Shares [Member] |  |  |
Changes in Common Stock in Treasury [Abstract] |  |  |
Restricted shares issued under stock-based compensation plans (in shares) | (210,000) | (153,000) | (74,000)
Class A [Member] | Performance Share Units [Member] |  |  |
Changes in Common Stock in Treasury [Abstract] |  |  |
Restricted shares issued under stock-based compensation plans (in shares) | (110,000) | (126,000) | (186,000)
Class A [Member] | 2017 Share Repurchase Program [Member] |  |  |
Capital Stock [Abstract] |  |  |
Average price of shares repurchased during the period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares | $ 50.35 |  |
Changes in Common Stock in Treasury [Abstract] |  |  |
Purchase of treasury shares (in shares) | 1,191,496 |  | 952,667
Class B [Member] |  |  |
Common Stock [Abstract] |  |  |
Number of votes to which each share of common stock is entitled | Vote | 1 |  |
Changes in Common Stock [Abstract] |  |  |
Number of shares, beginning of year | 13,071,067 | 13,096,000 | 13,392,000
Common stock class conversions and other | (16,000) | (25,000) | (296,000)
Number of shares issued, end of year (in shares) | 13,054,707 | 13,071,067 | 13,096,000
Changes in Common Stock in Treasury [Abstract] |  |  |
Number of shares held, beginning of year (in shares) | 3,917,574 | 3,918,000 | 3,917,000
Purchase of treasury shares (in shares) | 0 | 0 | 1,000
Number of shares held, end of year (in shares) | 3,917,574 | 3,917,574 | 3,918,000
Number of Common Stock outstanding, end of year (in shares) | 9,137,000 | 9,153,000 | 9,178,000
Class B [Member] | 2017 Share Repurchase Program [Member] |  |  |
Changes in Common Stock in Treasury [Abstract] |  |  |
Purchase of treasury shares (in shares) |  |  | 521

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | jwa_CapitalStockAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | jwa_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | jwa_ChangesInCommonStockAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | jwa_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | jwa_ChangesInCommonStockInTreasuryAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | jwa_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of shares of Class A Common Stock into which each share of Class B Common Stock is convertible. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | jwa_ClassCommonSharesIntoWhichEachShareOfClassBCommonStockIsConvertible
Namespace Prefix: | jwa_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The number of votes to which each share of common stock is entitled, excluding election of Directors. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | jwa_NumberOfVotesEntitlementPerShareOfClassCommonStock
Namespace Prefix: | jwa_
Data Type: | xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Description of voting rights of common stock. Includes eligibility to vote and votes per share owned. Include also, if any, unusual voting rights. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | jwa_PercentageOfBoardOfDirectorsElectedByClassCommonStockholders
Namespace Prefix: | jwa_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CommonStockNumberOfSharesParValueAndOtherDisclosuresAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Total number of common shares of an entity that have been sold or granted to shareholders (includes common shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). These shares represent capital invested by the firm's shareholders and owners, and may be all or only a portion of the number of shares authorized. Shares issued include shares outstanding and shares held in the treasury. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(29)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of shares of common stock outstanding. Common stock represent the ownership interest in a corporation. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21463-112644 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(29)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The number of new shares issued in the conversion of stock in a noncash (or part noncash) transaction. Noncash is defined as transactions during a period that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98513485&loc=d3e4332-108586 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98513485&loc=d3e4313-108586 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98513485&loc=d3e4304-108586 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ConversionOfStockSharesIssued1
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of restricted shares issued as compensation, net of shares for the payment of withholding taxes. This element is to be used only if shares are used in lieu of cash to satisfy all or a portion of withholding taxes. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestrictedStockSharesIssuedNetOfSharesForTaxWithholdings
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Net number of share options (or share units) granted during the period. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -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=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of shares related to Restricted Stock Award forfeited during the period. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(28)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21463-112644 Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(29)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardForfeited
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of shares issued during the period related to Restricted Stock Awards, net of any shares forfeited. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21463-112644 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(28)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(29)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of share options (or share units) exercised during the current period. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c)(1)(iv)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(28)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(29)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 5: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21463-112644 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of shares authorized to be repurchased by an entity's Board of Directors under a stock repurchase plan. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The remaining number of shares authorized to be repurchased by an entity's Board of Directors under a stock repurchase plan. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of increase (decrease) in shares of stock classified as other. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOtherShares
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Total cost of shares repurchased divided by the total number of shares repurchased. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6405813&loc=d3e23239-112655 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:perShareItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of common and preferred shares that were previously issued and that were repurchased by the issuing entity and held in treasury on the financial statement date. This stock has no voting rights and receives no dividends. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29,30) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6405813&loc=d3e23239-112655 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of shares that have been repurchased during the period and are being held in treasury. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21463-112644 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(29)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis=jwa_ShareRepurchaseProgramIn2017Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis=us-gaap_CommonClassAMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=jwa_NonPerformanceSharesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis=us-gaap_CommonClassBMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |