XML 202 R119.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.20.4

Trade receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Disclosure of provision matrix [line items] |  |  |  |
Total trade receivables, net | $ 8,217 | $ 8,301 |  |
Trade receivables [member] |  |  |  |
Disclosure of provision matrix [line items] |  |  |  |
Total trade receivables, net | 8,217 | 8,301 |  |
Trade receivables [member] | Gross carrying amount [member] |  |  |  |
Disclosure of provision matrix [line items] |  |  |  |
Total trade receivables, net | 8,310 | 8,396 |  |
Trade receivables [member] | Provision for doubtful receivable [member] |  |  |  |
Disclosure of provision matrix [line items] |  |  |  |
Provision for doubtful receivable | $ (93) | $ (95) | $ (126) | $ (190)

X
- Definition The amount of current trade receivables. [Refer: Trade receivables] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 78 -Subparagraph b -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_78_b&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 68 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_68&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_CurrentTradeReceivables
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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_DisclosureOfProvisionMatrixLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_ClassesOfFinancialInstrumentsAxis=ifrs-full_TradeReceivablesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_CarryingAmountAccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentAndGrossCarryingAmountAxis=ifrs-full_GrossCarryingAmountMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_CarryingAmountAccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentAndGrossCarryingAmountAxis=nvs_ProvisionForDoubtfulReceivableMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |