Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation (Policies)	Jan. 31, 2020
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Throughout this report, when we refer to “Wiley,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us,” we are referring to John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and all our subsidiaries, except where the context indicates otherwise. Our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include all the accounts of the Company and our subsidiaries. We have eliminated all intercompany transactions and balances in consolidation. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contain all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Condition, Results of Operations, Comprehensive Income and Cash Flows for the periods presented. Operating results for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year. All amounts are in thousands, except per share amounts, and approximate due to rounding. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the most recent audited consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019 as filed with the SEC on July 1, 2019 (“2019 Form 10-K”). Our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with the interim reporting requirements of the SEC. As permitted under those rules, annual footnotes or other financial information that are normally required by U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted. The preparation of our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. During the third quarter of 2020, we identified an immaterial error within our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, including the results for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019. Certain consideration received for services not yet performed, mainly for our annual subscription licensing revenue agreements, was presented as a reduction to Accounts Receivable, Net, rather than an increase to Contract Liabilities. The correction increases Accounts Receivable, Net and increases Contract Liabilities by approximately $11.8 million for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019. There was no impact on Revenue, Net, Operating Income, Net Income, Earnings Per Share, or Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities or the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Management has evaluated all relevant quantitative and qualitative factors and has concluded that the error is not material to the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position for the previously reported periods. We have revised our accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position to correct this for fiscal year ended April 30, 2019 and any related disclosures. The current policy for our subscription licensing agreements is to record accounts receivable when performance occurs and recognize contract liabilities once the invoice is due, or cash payment is received from the customer.
Reclassifications	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation. The Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended January 31, 2019, includes a reclassification of $4.5 million, between Operating Activities within the Net Change In Operating Assets and Liabilities and Investing Activities related to costs to fulfill a contract and Product Development Spending. In addition, for the nine months ended January 31, 2019, amortization expense related to costs to fulfill a contract of $1.9 million was reclassified from Amortization of Product Development Assets to Other Non-Cash Charges within Operating Activities.