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Equity (Details 2) - CHF (SFr) shares in Millions, SFr in Billions | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items] |  |  |
Number of shares outstanding at beginning of period | 2,265.0 | 2,311.2 | 2,317.5
Treasury shares acquired to be cancelled | (32.6) | (60.3) | (23.3)
Other share purchases | (1.7) | (1.7) | (1.2)
Exercise of options and employee transactions shares | 14.7 | 5.5 | 7.8
Equity based compensation shares | 11.0 | 9.4 | 7.4
Shares delivered to divested business employees | 0.4 | 0.9 |
Other share sales |  |  | 3.0
Total movements | (8.2) | (46.2) | (6.3)
Number of shares outstanding at end of period | 2,256.8 | 2,265.0 | 2,311.2
Shares repurchased on the SIX Swiss Exchange second trading line under the share buyback authority approved | SFr 10 | SFr 10 | SFr 10
Total Novartis shares |  |  |
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items] |  |  |
Number of shares issued at beginning of period | 2,527.3 | 2,550.6 | 2,616.8
Shares cancelled for capital reduction | (60.3) | (23.3) | (66.2)
Total movements | (60.3) | (23.3) | (66.2)
Number of shares issued at end of period | 2,467.0 | 2,527.3 | 2,550.6
Total treasury shares |  |  |
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items] |  |  |
Number of treasury shares at beginning of period | (262.3) | (239.4) | (299.3)
Shares cancelled for capital reduction | 60.3 | 23.3 | 66.2
Treasury shares acquired to be cancelled | (32.6) | (60.3) | (23.3)
Other share purchases | (1.7) | (1.7) | (1.2)
Exercise of options and employee transactions shares | 14.7 | 5.5 | 7.8
Equity based compensation shares | 11.0 | 9.4 | 7.4
Shares delivered to divested business employees | 0.4 | 0.9 |
Other share sales |  |  | 3.0
Total movements | 52.1 | (22.9) | 59.9
Number of treasury shares at end of period | (210.2) | (262.3) | (239.4)
Treasury shares with restricted use | 103.0 | 117.6 | 121.6

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