XML 38 R28.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.20.2

Significant transactions (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Millions |  | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Apr. 08, 2019 | Jun. 30, 2019 | Jun. 30, 2019 | Mar. 31, 2019
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items] |  |  |  |
Cumulative currency translation gains/losses recycled through income statement |  | $ 123 | $ 123 |
Gain on distribution |  | 4,691 | 4,691 |
Discontinued operations |  |  |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items] |  |  |  |
Net assets derecognized | $ (20,025) |  |  |
Derecognition of distribution liability | 23,434 |  |  |
Difference between net assets and distribution liability | 3,409 |  |  |
Distribution of dividend to dividend bearing shares | 1,273 |  |  |
Cumulative currency translation gains/losses recycled through income statement | 123 |  |  |
Transaction costs recognized in the consolidated income statement | (114) |  |  |
Gain on distribution | $ 4,691 | $ 4,691 | $ 4,691 |
Alcon | Discontinued operations |  |  |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items] |  |  |  |
Derecognition of distribution liability |  |  |  | $ 26,400

X
- Definition The amount of difference between the carrying amount of dividends payable and the carrying amount of non-cash assets distributed when settling the dividends payable. [Refer: Carrying amount [member]] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IFRIC -Number 17 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 15 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRIC&num=17&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_15&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_DifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountOfDividendsPayableAndCarryingAmountOfNoncashAssetsDistributed
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Line items represent concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes of the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_DisclosureOfBusinessCombinationsLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of dividends payable by means of the distribution of non-cash assets to owners. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IFRIC -Number 17 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 16 -Subparagraph a -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRIC&num=17&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_16_a&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_DividendsPayable
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | nvs_CumulativeCurrencyTranslationLossesRecycledThroughtIncomeStatement
Namespace Prefix: | nvs_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | nvs_DifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountOfDividendsPayableAndCarryingAmountOfNoncashAssetsDistributedNet
Namespace Prefix: | nvs_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | nvs_DistributionOfDividendToDividendBearingShares
Namespace Prefix: | nvs_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | nvs_NetAssetsDerecognized
Namespace Prefix: | nvs_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | nvs_TransactionCosts
Namespace Prefix: | nvs_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_ContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=ifrs-full_DiscontinuedOperationsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_SegmentsAxis=nvs_AlconMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |