SEGMENT INFORMATION Profitability (Details)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2017
USD ($)
Apr. 30, 2016
USD ($)
Apr. 30, 2017
USD ($)
Apr. 30, 2016
USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Number of Operating Segments     4  
Number of Reportable Segments     4  
Segment Reporting, Factors Used to Identify Entity's Reportable Segments     Our operating segments were determined based primarily on how the chief operating decision maker views and evaluates our operations. Segment operating results are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker to make decisions about resources to be allocated to each segment and to assess performance. Other factors, including market separation and customer specific applications, go-to-market channels, products and services and manufacturing are considered in determining the formation of these operating segments.  
Segment Reporting, Additional Information about Entity's Reportable Segments     The Communications Solutions Group serves customers spanning the worldwide commercial communications end market, which includes internet infrastructure, and the aerospace, defense and government end market. The group provides electronic design and test software, instruments, and systems used in the simulation, design, validation, manufacturing, installation and optimization of electronic equipment. The Electronic Industrial Solutions Group provides test and measurement solutions across a broad set of electronic industrial end markets, focusing on high-growth applications in the automotive and energy industry and measurement solutions for semiconductor design and manufacturing, consumer electronics, education and general electronics manufacturing. The group provides electronic design and test software, instruments, and systems used in the simulation, design, validation, manufacturing, installation and optimization of electronic equipment. The Ixia Solutions Group helps customers validate the performance and security resilience of their networks and associated applications. The test, visibility and security products help organizations and their customers strengthen their physical and virtual networks. Enterprises, service providers, network equipment manufacturers, and governments worldwide rely on the group's solutions to validate new products before shipping and secure ongoing operation of their networks with better visibility and security. The group’s product solutions consist of high-performance hardware platforms, software applications, and services, including warranty and maintenance offerings. The Services Solutions Group provides repair, calibration and consulting services, and remarkets used Keysight equipment. In addition to providing repair and calibration support for Keysight equipment, we also calibrate non-Keysight equipment. The group serves the same markets as Keysight’s Communications Solutions and Electronic Industrial Solutions Groups, providing industry-specific services to deliver complete Keysight solutions and help customers reduce their total cost of ownership for their design and test equipment.  
Revenues $ 758 $ 735 $ 1,484 $ 1,461
Business Combination Acquisition Related Fair Value Adjustments (5) (4) (5) (9)
Total net revenue 753 731 1,479 1,452
Segment income from operations 42 95 204 193
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest 147 135 275 264
Communications Solutions Group [Member]        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Revenues 424 446 858 886
Business Combination Acquisition Related Fair Value Adjustments (1) (4) (1) (9)
Total net revenue 423 442 857 877
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest 75 84 147 162
Electronic Industrial Solutions Group [Member]        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Revenues 220 193 412 384
Business Combination Acquisition Related Fair Value Adjustments 0 0 0 0
Total net revenue 220 193 412 384
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest 57 40 99 78
Ixia Solutions Group [Member]        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Revenues 12 0 12 0
Business Combination Acquisition Related Fair Value Adjustments (4) 0 (4) 0
Total net revenue 8 0 8 0
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest (2) 0 (2) 0
Services Solutions Group [Member]        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Revenues 102 96 202 191
Business Combination Acquisition Related Fair Value Adjustments 0 0 0 0
Total net revenue 102 96 202 191
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest $ 17 $ 11 $ 31 $ 24