Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)
In Millions
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2011
Apr. 30, 2010
Apr. 30, 2011
Apr. 30, 2010
Oct. 31, 2010
Goodwill - Rollforward          
Beginning balance     $ 1,456    
Goodwill arising from acquisitions 64   64    
Foreign currency translation impact and other adjustments     35    
Ending balance 1,555   1,555    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]          
Gross carrying amount 830   830   772
Accumulated amortization and impairments 337   337   278
Net book value 493   493   494
Goodwill arising from acquisitions 64   64    
Other intangible additions due to acquisition 42   42    
Amortization of intangible assets during the period 28 9 56 19  
Impairments of other intangible 3   3    
Future amortization expense for the remaining in the year     57    
Future amortization expense for the first year following the current fiscal year-end     95    
Future amortization expense for the second year following the current fiscal year-end     78    
Future amortization expense for the third year following the current fiscal year-end     68    
Future amortization expense for the fourth year following the current fiscal year-end     57    
Future amortization expense for the fifth year following the current fiscal year-end     50    
Future amortization     88    
Life Sciences [Member]
          
Goodwill - Rollforward          
Beginning balance     311    
Goodwill arising from acquisitions     53    
Foreign currency translation impact and other adjustments     8    
Ending balance 372   372    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]          
Goodwill arising from acquisitions     53    
Chemical Analysis [Member]
          
Goodwill - Rollforward          
Beginning balance     747    
Goodwill arising from acquisitions     11    
Foreign currency translation impact and other adjustments     25    
Ending balance 783   783    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]          
Goodwill arising from acquisitions     11    
Electronic Measurement [Member]
          
Goodwill - Rollforward          
Beginning balance     398    
Goodwill arising from acquisitions     0    
Foreign currency translation impact and other adjustments     2    
Ending balance 400   400    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]          
Goodwill arising from acquisitions     0    
Purchased technology [Member]
          
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]          
Gross carrying amount 505   505   466
Accumulated amortization and impairments 213   213   176
Net book value 292   292   290
Order or Production Backlog [Member]
          
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]          
Gross carrying amount 12   12   12
Accumulated amortization and impairments 12   12   12
Net book value 0   0   0
Trademark/Trade name [Member]
          
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]          
Gross carrying amount 40   40   39
Accumulated amortization and impairments 17   17   13
Net book value 23   23   26
Customer Relationships [Member]
          
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]          
Gross carrying amount 254   254   236
Accumulated amortization and impairments 95   95   77
Net book value 159   159   159
Total amortizable intangible assets [Member]
          
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]          
Gross carrying amount 811   811   753
Accumulated amortization and impairments 337   337   278
Net book value 474   474   475
In Process R and D [Member]
          
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]          
Gross carrying amount 19   19   19
Accumulated amortization and impairments 0   0   0
Net book value $ 19   $ 19   $ 19