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Goodwill and intangible assets - Goodwill and intangible asset by segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018
--- | --- | ---
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | $ 10,231 | $ 10,679
Goodwill [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 8,905 | 8,899
Alcon brand name [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 2,980 | 2,980
Acquired research & development [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 725 | 246
Technologies [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 677 | 1,185
Currently marketed products [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 1,598 | 1,848
Marketing know-how [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 3,814 | 4,054
Other intangible assets (including software) [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 437 | 366
Operating segments [member] | Surgical [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 5,770 | 6,053
Operating segments [member] | Surgical [member] | Goodwill [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 4,544 | 4,538
Operating segments [member] | Surgical [member] | Acquired research & development [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 721 | 216
Operating segments [member] | Surgical [member] | Technologies [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 677 | 1,185
Operating segments [member] | Surgical [member] | Currently marketed products [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 374 | 438
Operating segments [member] | Surgical [member] | Marketing know-how [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 3,814 | 4,054
Operating segments [member] | Surgical [member] | Other intangible assets (including software) [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 184 | 160
Operating segments [member] | Vision Care [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 1,481 | 1,646
Operating segments [member] | Vision Care [member] | Goodwill [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 4,361 | 4,361
Operating segments [member] | Vision Care [member] | Acquired research & development [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 4 | 30
Operating segments [member] | Vision Care [member] | Currently marketed products [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 1,224 | 1,410
Operating segments [member] | Vision Care [member] | Other intangible assets (including software) [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 253 | 206
Unallocated amounts [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 2,980 | 2,980
Unallocated amounts [member] | Alcon brand name [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | $ 2,980 | $ 2,980

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