Recent Accounting Standards (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2023
Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting	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 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022 as filed with the SEC on June 24, 2022 (2022 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 US GAAP have been condensed or omitted. The preparation of our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with US 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. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.
Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Standards	Recently Adopted Accounting Standards Reference Rate Reform In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” In January 2021, the FASB clarified the scope of that guidance with the issuance of ASU 2021-01, “Reference Rate Reform: Scope.” These ASUs provide optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform on financial reporting. This would apply to companies meeting certain criteria that have contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06, "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848," which extended the date to December 31, 2024. This standard was effective for us immediately and may be applied prospectively to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated on or before December 31, 2024. On November 30, 2022, we amended the Amended and Restated CA (as defined in Note 15, “Debt and Available Credit Facilities”) and as a result we amended our outstanding interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges to change the rates from LIBOR-based rates to SOFR-based rates. We applied ASU 2020-04 at the time of modification, and there was no impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The future impact of this ASU on our consolidated financial statements will be based on any future contract modifications. Convertible Debt Instruments, Derivatives and EPS In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, “Debt – Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40)”. This ASU reduces the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock, as well as amend the guidance for the derivatives scope exception for contracts in an entity’s own equity to reduce form-over-substance-based accounting conclusions. In addition, this ASU improves and amends the related earnings-per-share (EPS) guidance. We adopted ASU 2020-06 on May 1, 2022. The adoption did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements at the time of adoption. Recently Issued Accounting Standards Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers”. This ASU requires that an acquirer recognize, and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with ASC 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606) as if it had originated the contracts. Generally, this would result in an acquirer recognizing and measuring the acquired contract assets and contract liabilities consistent with how they were recognized and measured in the acquiree’s financial statements if the acquiree prepared financial statements in accordance with US GAAP. This standard is effective for us on May 1, 2023, including interim periods within the fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted. The standard is applied prospectively to business combinations occurring on or after the effective date of the amendments. The impact will be based on future business combinations after we adopt the standard.
Revenue from Contract with Customer	Research Research customers include academic, corporate, government, and public libraries, funders of research, researchers, scientists, clinicians, engineers and technologists, scholarly and professional societies, and students and professors. Research products are sold and distributed globally through multiple channels, including research libraries and library consortia, independent subscription agents, direct sales to researchers and professional society members, and other customers. Publishing centers include Australia, China, Germany, India, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US). The majority of revenue generated from Research products is recognized over time. Total Research revenue was $253.6 million and $799.9 million in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2023, respectively. We disaggregated revenue by Research Publishing & Research Solutions to reflect the different type of products and services provided. Research Publishing Products Research Publishing products provide scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly journals, as well as related content and services, to academic, corporate, and government libraries, learned societies, and individual researchers and other professionals. Research Publishing revenue was $213.7 million and $685.9 million in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2023, respectively, and the majority is recognized over time. Research Publishing products generate approximately 84% and 86% in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2023, respectively, of its revenue from contracts with its customers from Journal Subscriptions (pay to read), Open Access (pay to publish) and Transformational Agreements (read and publish) and the remainder from Licensing, Reprints, Backfiles, and Other. Research Solutions Products and Services Research Solutions services include Atypon Systems, Inc (Atypon) a publishing software and service provider that enables scholarly and professional societies and publishers to deliver, host, enhance, market, and manage their content on the web through the Literatum platform. In addition, Research Solutions includes advertising, spectroscopy software and spectral databases, and job board software and career center services, which includes the products and services from the recent acquisitions of Madgex and Informatics. As well as product and service offerings related to recent acquisitions such as J&J and the EJP business. J&J is a publishing services company providing expert offerings in editorial operations, production, copyediting, system support and consulting. EJP is a technology platform company with an established journal submission and peer-review management system. Research Solutions revenue was $39.9 million and $114.0 million in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2023, respectively, and the majority is recognized over time. Academic Academic customers include chain and online booksellers, libraries, colleges and universities, corporations, direct to consumer, web sites, and other online applications. Total Academic revenue was $177.5 million and $507.6 million in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2023, respectively. We disaggregated revenue by type of products provided. Academic products are Academic Publishing and University Services. Academic Publishing Products Academic Publishing products revenue was $128.6 million and $354.7 million in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2023, respectively. Products and services including scientific, professional, and education print and digital books, digital courseware, and test preparation services to libraries, corporations, students, professionals, and researchers. Communities served include business, finance, accounting, workplace learning, management, leadership, technology, behavioral health, engineering/architecture, science and medicine, and education. Products are developed for worldwide distribution through multiple channels, including chain and online booksellers, libraries, colleges and universities, corporations, direct to consumer, web sites, distributor networks and other online applications. Publishing centers include Australia, Germany, India, the UK, and the US. Academic Publishing products generate approximately 65% and 69% in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2023, respectively, of its revenue from contracts with its customers for print and digital publishing, which is recognized at a point in time. Digital Courseware products generate approximately 21% and 17% of its revenue in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2023, respectively, which is recognized over time. The remainder of its revenues were from Test Preparation and Certification, and Licensing and Other, which has a mix of revenue recognized at a point in time and over time. University Services University Services revenue was $49.0 million and $152.9 million in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2023, respectively, and is mainly recognized over time. University Services primarily engages in the comprehensive management of online degree programs for universities and has grown to include a broad array of technology enabled service offerings that address our partner specific pain points. Increasingly, this includes delivering career credentialing education that advances specific careers with in-demand skills. Talent Talent revenue was $60.3 million and $186.3 million in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2023, respectively. Services include sourcing, training, and preparing aspiring students and professionals to meet the skill needs of today’s technology careers, and placing them with large companies and government agencies. Talent services works with its clients to retrain and retain existing employees so they can continue to meet the changing demands of today’s technology landscape. This revenue is recognized at the point in time the services are provided to its customers. Other services include high-demand soft-skills training solutions that are delivered to organizational clients through online digital delivery platforms, either directly or through an authorized distributor network of independent consultants, trainers, and coaches, as well as online learning and training solutions for global corporations, universities, and small and medium-sized enterprises sold on a subscription or fee basis. These digital learning solutions are either sold directly to corporate customers or through our global partners’ network. This revenue is recognized mainly over time. Accounts Receivable, net and Contract Liability Balances When consideration is received, or such consideration is unconditionally due, from a customer prior to transferring goods or services to the customer under the terms of a contract, a contract liability is recorded. Contract liabilities are recognized as revenue when, or as, control of the products or services are transferred to the customer and all revenue recognition criteria have been met.

Recent Accounting Standards (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract]

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 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022 as filed with the SEC on June 24, 2022 (2022 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 US GAAP have been condensed or omitted. The preparation of our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with US 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. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Standards

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Reference Rate Reform

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” In January 2021, the FASB clarified the scope of that guidance with the issuance of ASU 2021-01, “Reference Rate Reform: Scope.” These ASUs provide optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform on financial reporting. This would apply to companies meeting certain criteria that have contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06, "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848," which extended the date to December 31, 2024. This standard was effective for us immediately and may be applied prospectively to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated on or before December 31, 2024. On November 30, 2022, we amended the Amended and Restated CA (as defined in Note 15, “Debt and Available Credit Facilities”) and as a result we amended our outstanding interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges to change the rates from LIBOR-based rates to SOFR-based rates. We applied ASU 2020-04 at the time of modification, and there was no impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The future impact of this ASU on our consolidated financial statements will be based on any future contract modifications.

Convertible Debt Instruments, Derivatives and EPS

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, “Debt – Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40)”. This ASU reduces the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock, as well as amend the guidance for the derivatives scope exception for contracts in an entity’s own equity to reduce form-over-substance-based accounting conclusions. In addition, this ASU improves and amends the related earnings-per-share (EPS) guidance. We adopted ASU 2020-06 on May 1, 2022. The adoption did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements at the time of adoption.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers

In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers”. This ASU requires that an acquirer recognize, and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with ASC 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606) as if it had originated the contracts. Generally, this would result in an acquirer recognizing and measuring the acquired contract assets and contract liabilities consistent with how they were recognized and measured in the acquiree’s financial statements if the acquiree prepared financial statements in accordance with US GAAP. This standard is effective for us on May 1, 2023, including interim periods within the fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted. The standard is applied prospectively to business combinations occurring on or after the effective date of the amendments. The impact will be based on future business combinations after we adopt the standard.

Revenue from Contract with Customer

Research

Research customers include academic, corporate, government, and public libraries, funders of research, researchers, scientists, clinicians, engineers and technologists, scholarly and professional societies, and students and professors. Research products are sold and distributed globally through multiple channels, including research libraries and library consortia, independent subscription agents, direct sales to researchers and professional society members, and other customers. Publishing centers include Australia, China, Germany, India, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US). The majority of revenue generated from Research products is recognized over time. Total Research revenue was $253.6 million and $799.9 million in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2023, respectively.

We disaggregated revenue by Research Publishing & Research Solutions to reflect the different type of products and services provided.

Research Publishing Products

Research Publishing products provide scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly journals, as well as related content and services, to academic, corporate, and government libraries, learned societies, and individual researchers and other professionals. Research Publishing revenue was $213.7 million and $685.9 million in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2023, respectively, and the majority is recognized over time.

Research Publishing products generate approximately 84% and 86% in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2023, respectively, of its revenue from contracts with its customers from Journal Subscriptions (pay to read), Open Access (pay to publish) and Transformational Agreements (read and publish) and the remainder from Licensing, Reprints, Backfiles, and Other.

Research Solutions Products and Services

Research Solutions services include Atypon Systems, Inc (Atypon) a publishing software and service provider that enables scholarly and professional societies and publishers to deliver, host, enhance, market, and manage their content on the web through the Literatum platform. In addition, Research Solutions includes advertising, spectroscopy software and spectral databases, and job board software and career center services, which includes the products and services from the recent acquisitions of Madgex and Informatics. As well as product and service offerings related to recent acquisitions such as J&J and the EJP business. J&J is a publishing services company providing expert offerings in editorial operations, production, copyediting, system support and consulting. EJP is a technology platform company with an established journal submission and peer-review management system. Research Solutions revenue was $39.9 million and $114.0 million in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2023, respectively, and the majority is recognized over time.

Academic

Academic customers include chain and online booksellers, libraries, colleges and universities, corporations, direct to consumer, web sites, and other online applications. Total Academic revenue was $177.5 million and $507.6 million in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2023, respectively.

We disaggregated revenue by type of products provided. Academic products are Academic Publishing and University Services.

Academic Publishing Products

Academic Publishing products revenue was $128.6 million and $354.7 million in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2023, respectively. Products and services including scientific, professional, and education print and digital books, digital courseware, and test preparation services to libraries, corporations, students, professionals, and researchers. Communities served include business, finance, accounting, workplace learning, management, leadership, technology, behavioral health, engineering/architecture, science and medicine, and education. Products are developed for worldwide distribution through multiple channels, including chain and online booksellers, libraries, colleges and universities, corporations, direct to consumer, web sites, distributor networks and other online applications. Publishing centers include Australia, Germany, India, the UK, and the US.

Academic Publishing products generate approximately 65% and 69% in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2023, respectively, of its revenue from contracts with its customers for print and digital publishing, which is recognized at a point in time. Digital Courseware products generate approximately 21% and 17% of its revenue in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2023, respectively, which is recognized over time. The remainder of its revenues were from Test Preparation and Certification, and Licensing and Other, which has a mix of revenue recognized at a point in time and over time.

University Services

University Services revenue was $49.0 million and $152.9 million in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2023, respectively, and is mainly recognized over time. University Services primarily engages in the comprehensive management of online degree programs for universities and has grown to include a broad array of technology enabled service offerings that address our partner specific pain points. Increasingly, this includes delivering career credentialing education that advances specific careers with in-demand skills.

Talent

Talent revenue was $60.3 million and $186.3 million in the three and nine months ended January 31, 2023, respectively. Services include sourcing, training, and preparing aspiring students and professionals to meet the skill needs of today’s technology careers, and placing them with large companies and government agencies. Talent services works with its clients to retrain and retain existing employees so they can continue to meet the changing demands of today’s technology landscape. This revenue is recognized at the point in time the services are provided to its customers.

Other services include high-demand soft-skills training solutions that are delivered to organizational clients through online digital delivery platforms, either directly or through an authorized distributor network of independent consultants, trainers, and coaches, as well as online learning and training solutions for global corporations, universities, and small and medium-sized enterprises sold on a subscription or fee basis. These digital learning solutions are either sold directly to corporate customers or through our global partners’ network. This revenue is recognized mainly over time.

Accounts Receivable, net and Contract Liability Balances

When consideration is received, or such consideration is unconditionally due, from a customer prior to transferring goods or services to the customer under the terms of a contract, a contract liability is recorded. Contract liabilities are recognized as revenue when, or as, control of the products or services are transferred to the customer and all revenue recognition criteria have been met.