Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation These statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and, in accordance with those rules and regulations, do not include all information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). In the opinion of management, the condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to fairly state the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of Teradata Corporation (“Teradata” or the “Company”) for the interim periods presented herein. The year-end 2017 condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results may vary from these estimates. These condensed consolidated interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Teradata’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 (the “2017 Annual Report”). The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full year. Prior period amounts have been restated to conform to the current year presentation, unless otherwise stated that the prior period amounts have not been restated. During the first quarter of 2018, the Company changed its historical presentation of its revenue and cost of revenue categories. Previously, the Company presented revenue and cost of revenue on two lines: product and cloud, and services. As part of the Company’s business transformation, the Company is transitioning away from perpetual software to subscription-based transactions. To better reflect this shift in the business, the Company adopted a revised presentation in the first quarter of 2018, including the separation of recurring revenue from non-recurring product and consulting services. Recurring revenue consists of our on-premises and off-premises subscriptions, including subscription licenses recognized on a month-to-month basis, subscriptions recognized over time, software upgrade rights on perpetual software licenses, maintenance and managed services. Recurring revenue is intended to depict the revenue recognition model for these transactions. The recurrence of these revenue streams in future periods depends on a number of factors, including contractual periods and customers' renewal decisions. Perpetual software licenses and hardware revenue consists of hardware and perpetual software licenses. Consulting services revenue consists of consulting, implementation and installation services. In connection with these revisions, the Company also revised its cost of revenue classification to present costs associated with the new revenue presentation. This change in presentation does not affect the Company’s total revenues, total cost of revenues or overall total gross profit (defined as total revenue less total cost of revenue).

Basis of Presentation

These statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and, in accordance with those rules and regulations, do not include all information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). In the opinion of management, the condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to fairly state the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of Teradata Corporation (“Teradata” or the “Company”) for the interim periods presented herein. The year-end 2017 condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results may vary from these estimates.

These condensed consolidated interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Teradata’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 (the “2017 Annual Report”). The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full year. Prior period amounts have been restated to conform to the current year presentation, unless otherwise stated that the prior period amounts have not been restated.

During the first quarter of 2018, the Company changed its historical presentation of its revenue and cost of revenue categories. Previously, the Company presented revenue and cost of revenue on two lines: product and cloud, and services. As part of the Company’s business transformation, the Company is transitioning away from perpetual software to subscription-based transactions. To better reflect this shift in the business, the Company adopted a revised presentation in the first quarter of 2018, including the separation of recurring revenue from non-recurring product and consulting services. Recurring revenue consists of our on-premises and off-premises subscriptions, including subscription licenses recognized on a month-to-month basis, subscriptions recognized over time, software upgrade rights on perpetual software licenses, maintenance and managed services. Recurring revenue is intended to depict the revenue recognition model for these transactions. The recurrence of these revenue streams in future periods depends on a number of factors, including contractual periods and customers' renewal decisions. Perpetual software licenses and hardware revenue consists of hardware and perpetual software licenses. Consulting services revenue consists of consulting, implementation and installation services.

In connection with these revisions, the Company also revised its cost of revenue classification to present costs associated with the new revenue presentation. This change in presentation does not affect the Company’s total revenues, total cost of revenues or overall total gross profit (defined as total revenue less total cost of revenue).