Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Apr. 28, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of Methode Electronics, Inc. and its subsidiaries. As used herein, “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” or “Methode” means Methode Electronics, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
Fiscal Reporting Periods	Financial Reporting Periods. We maintain our financial records on the basis of a fifty-two or fifty-three weeks fiscal year ending on the Saturday closest to April 30. Fiscal 2018, fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 represent fifty-two weeks of results.
Cash Equivalents	Cash Equivalents. All highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased are classified in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as cash equivalents.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. We carry accounts receivable at their face amounts less an allowance for doubtful accounts. On a regular basis, we record an allowance for uncollectible receivables based upon past transaction history with customers, customer payment practices and economic conditions. Actual collection experience may differ from the current estimate of net receivables. A change to the allowance for uncollectible amounts may be required if a future event or other change in circumstances results in a change in the estimate of the ultimate collectability of a specific account. We do not require collateral for our accounts receivable balances. Accounts are written off against the allowance account when they are determined to be no longer collectible.
Inventories	Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower-of-cost (first-in, first-out method) or market, including direct material costs and direct and indirect manufacturing costs.
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment. Properties are stated on the basis of cost. We amortize such costs by annual charges to income, computed on the straight-line method using estimated useful lives of 5 to 40 years for buildings and improvements and 3 to 15 years for machinery and equipment for financial reporting purposes. Accelerated methods are generally used for income tax purposes.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenue on product sales when i) persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, ii) the price is fixed or determinable, iii) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, and iv) collection of the sales proceeds is reasonably assured. Revenue from our product sales not requiring installation, net of trade discounts and estimated sales allowances, is recognized when title passes, which is generally upon shipment. We do not have any additional obligations or customer acceptance provisions after shipment of such products. We handle returns by replacing, repairing or issuing credit for defective products when returned. Return costs were not significant in fiscal 2018, fiscal 2017 or fiscal 2016.
Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs	Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs. Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are included in net sales, and the related costs are included in cost of products sold.
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation. The functional currencies of the majority of our foreign subsidiaries are their local currencies. The results of operations of these foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using average exchange rates during the year, while the assets and liabilities are translated using period-end exchange rates. Adjustments from the translation process are classified as a component of shareholders’ equity. Exchange gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the foreign subsidiary are included in the Consolidated Statements of Income in other income.
Long-Lived Assets	Long-Lived Assets. We continually evaluate whether events and circumstances have occurred which indicate that the remaining estimated useful lives of our intangible assets, excluding goodwill, and other long-lived assets, may warrant revision or that the remaining balance of such assets may not be recoverable. In the event that the undiscounted cash flows resulting from the use of the asset group is less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss equal to the excess of the asset’s carrying amount over its fair value is recorded.
Goodwill and Other Intangibles	Goodwill and Other Intangibles. Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair market value of identifiable net assets acquired through business purchases. We review goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if indicators of impairment are identified. We evaluate goodwill using a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of any reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If we determine that the fair value of the reporting unit may be less than its carrying amount, we evaluate goodwill using a quantitative impairment test. Otherwise, we conclude that no impairment is indicated and we do not perform the quantitative impairment test. Our qualitative screen includes an assessment of certain factors including, but not limited to, the results of prior year fair value calculations, the movement of our share price and market capitalization, the reporting unit and overall financial performance, and macroeconomic and industry conditions. We consider the qualitative factors and weight of the evidence obtained to determine if it is more likely than not that the reporting units' fair value is less than the carrying amount. Although we believe the factors considered in the impairment analysis are reasonable, significant changes in any one of the assumptions used could produce a different result. If, after assessing the qualitative factors, we were to determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then we would perform a quantitative impairment test. We may also elect to proceed directly to the quantitative impairment analysis without considering such qualitative factors. For the quantitative analysis, fair values are primarily established using a discounted cash flow methodology (specifically, the income and market approach). The determination of discounted cash flows is based on our long-range forecasts and requires assumptions related to revenue and operating income growth, asset-related expenditures, working capital levels, and other market participant assumptions. The revenue growth rates included in the forecasts are our best estimates based on current and anticipated market conditions, and the profitability assumptions are projected based on current and anticipated cost structures. Long-range forecasting involves uncertainty which increases with each successive period. Key assumptions, such as revenue growth rates and profitability, especially in the outer years, involve a greater degree of uncertainty. In the fiscal 2018 first quarter, the Company early adopted ASU No. 2017-04 (issued by the FASB in January 2017), "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment" on a prospective basis. This removed Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which required a hypothetical purchase price allocation. Under the new guidance, a goodwill impairment is measured as the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value.
Research and Development Costs	esearch and Development Costs. Costs associated with the enhancement of existing products and the development of new products are charged to expense when incurred. Research and development expenses primarily relate to product engineering and design and development expenses and are classified as a component of our cost of goods sold on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income.
Use of Estimates	se of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments	air Value of Other Financial Instruments. The carrying values of our short-term financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, approximate their fair values because of the short maturity of these instruments. We have no material assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
Recently Issued/Adopted Accounting Pronouncements	ecently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, "Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income." The amendments in this update are intended to address a specific consequence of U.S. Tax Reform by allowing a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from U.S. Tax Reform’s reduction of the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate. The ASU is effective for all entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted, and is to be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate is recognized. Management does not expect this ASU to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, "Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting." The amendments in this update provide guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those periods. The standard will be effective for us in fiscal years beginning April 29, 2018. This ASU is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's financial statements. If, in the future, Methode makes modifications to its existing share-based payment awards, those modifications will need to be evaluated based on the criteria detailed in this ASU and accounted for accordingly. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.” The amendments in this update provide guidance on eight specific cash flow presentation issues that have developed due to diversity in practice. The issues include, but are not limited to, debt prepayment or extinguishment costs, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, and proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims. The amendments in this ASU, where practicable, are to be applied retrospectively. The standard will be effective for us in fiscal years beginning April 29, 2018. We do not believe this pronouncement will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting revenue gross versus net)," which clarifies gross versus net revenue reporting when another party is involved in the transaction. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, "Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing," which amends the revenue guidance on identifying performance obligations and accounting for licenses of intellectual property. The standards will be effective for us in the fiscal year beginning April 29, 2018. We have evaluated the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements. Our evaluation process has been conducted by our project management team, in conjunction with third-party consultants who have assisted in the process. Our project management team has analyzed the impact of these standards by reviewing our current accounting policies and practices and our customer contracts and arrangements to identify potential differences that would result from the application of this standard. The main types of provisions that have been evaluated which could impact the allocation and timing of revenue include contractually guaranteed price reductions and over-time recognition of revenue due to the manufacturing of goods with no alternative use in which the Company has a right to payment. The contractually guaranteed price reductions could result in revenue being deferred as it relates to those material rights, which would be a change from current practice. Also, the over-time recognition of revenue could result in accelerated revenue recognition for products where revenue is currently being recognized upon transfer of title at either shipment or delivery. After performing both quantitative and qualitative analyses of the potential impacts discussed above, the Company does not expect the impact of this standard to be material upon adoption. The Company will continue to monitor the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting. Further, the Company concluded that pre-production engineering and engineering costs do not represent a promised good or service under ASC 606. This conclusion will result in a change from current accounting practices, in which these activities are treated as revenue generating activity. Going forward, the Company will recognize customer reimbursements related to pre-production costs as net within the cost of products sold line item. Given that tooling sales were only $10.4 million for both fiscal 2017 and 2018, this change in accounting treatment will have an immaterial impact on the financial statements on a go-forward basis. We intend to elect the accounting policy election to treat shipping and handling costs as fulfillment activities, rather than performance obligations. Further, we will elect the practical expedient for significant financing components for all contracts under twelve months. We will adopt the standard utilizing the modified retrospective method. We expect enhanced disclosures and controls beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases (ASC 842)," which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract (i.e. lessees and lessors). The new standard requires lessors to account for leases using an approach that is substantially equivalent to existing guidance for sales-type leases, direct financing leases and operating leases. The new standard requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase by the lessee. This classification will determine whether lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight line basis over the term of the lease. A lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for similar to existing guidance for operating leases today. ASC 842 supersedes the previous leases standard, ASC 840 Leases. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, which is our fiscal 2020, beginning on April 28, 2019. We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, "Financial Instruments - Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities." The new standard requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset, and eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, which is our fiscal 2019, beginning on April 29, 2018. We do not expect any impact from the adoption of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350).” The amendments in this ASU simplify goodwill impairment testing by removing the requirement of Step 2 to determine the implied fair value of the goodwill of a business which fails Step 1. The effects of this update result in the amount by which a carrying amount exceeds the business' fair value to be recognized as an impairment charge in the period identified. The standard is effective for us for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning May 3, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company has adopted this ASU on a prospective basis effective as of April 30, 2017 and has concluded that this pronouncement has no material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business.” The amendments in this update clarify the definition of a business, with the objective of assisting entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The clarified definition requires that when substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. To be considered a business, an asset must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create output. The amendments are effective for us in fiscal years beginning April 29, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company has adopted this ASU effective as of April 30, 2017 on a prospective basis and has concluded that this pronouncement has no material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, "Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting." ASU 2016-09 simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 impacts the timing of when excess tax benefits are recognized by eliminating the delay in the recognition of a tax benefit until the tax benefit is realized through a reduction to income taxes payable. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, which is our fiscal 2018, which began on April 30, 2017. The Company applied the modified retrospective transition method and recognized an increase to deferred tax assets and retained earnings of $2.7 million as of April 30, 2017 to recognize excess tax benefits that had been previously delayed. On a prospective basis, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies are recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the statement of operations. As a result of applying the modified retrospective transition method, prior periods were not adjusted. Further, the Company will continue to estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest. In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, "Business Combinations Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments." The standard requires that an acquirer recognize measurement-period adjustments in the period in which the adjustments are determined. The income effects of such measurement-period adjustments are to be recorded in the same period’s financial statements but calculated as if the accounting had been completed as of the acquisition date. The impact of measurement-period adjustments to earnings that relate to prior period financial statements are to be presented separately on the income statement or disclosed by line item. The Company has adopted this ASU effective April 30, 2017 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, "Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory." This ASU requires an entity to measure inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value, rather than at the lower of cost or market. The Company has adopted this ASU effective April 30, 2017 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.