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Discontinued operations (Details 9) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 1 Months Ended |  |  |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Mar. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | Apr. 08, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items] |  |  |  |  |
Identifiable assets acquired (liabilities assumed) |  | $ 10,173 | $ 4,124 |  | $ 13,946
Deferred tax liability (asset) |  | (792) | (2,042) |  | (1,224)
Intangible assets other than goodwill |  | $ 36,809 | $ 28,787 |  |
Continuing operations |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items] |  |  |  |  |
Identifiable assets acquired (liabilities assumed) |  |  |  |  | 13,660
Discontinued operations |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items] |  |  |  |  |
Deferred tax liability (asset) |  |  |  |  | $ (858)
Intangible assets other than goodwill |  |  |  | $ 11,121 |
Discontinued operations | PowerVision, Inc. | Alcon [member] |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items] |  |  |  |  |
Consideration transferred, acquisition-date fair value | $ 424 |  |  |  |
Portion of consideration paid (received) consisting of cash and cash equivalents | (289) |  |  |  |
Contingent liabilities recognised as of acquisition date | 135 |  |  |  |
Identifiable assets acquired (liabilities assumed) | 418 |  |  |  |
Additional recognition, goodwill | 6 |  |  |  |
Other net assets | 6 |  |  |  |
Deferred tax liability (asset) | 93 |  |  |  |
Intangible assets other than goodwill | $ 505 |  |  |  |

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