Agilent (A) 10-Q 5 Jun 15 2015 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Entity Central Index Key	1090872
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-21
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	333,191,751
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	30-Apr-15

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Net revenue
Products	$759	$778	$1,574	$1,581
Services and other	204	210	415	415
Total net revenue	963	988	1,989	1,996
Costs and expenses:
Cost of products	365	381	760	763
Cost of services and other	118	122	236	238
Total costs	483	503	996	1,001
Research and development	81	87	169	175
Selling, general and administrative	292	304	602	602
Total costs and expenses	856	894	1,767	1,778
Income from operations	107	94	222	218
Interest income	2	2	4	4
Interest expense	-17	-30	-33	-59
Other income (expense), net	4	3	16	3
Income from continuing operations before taxes	96	69	209	166
Provision for income taxes	8	29	19	5
Income from continuing operations	88	40	190	161
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (net of tax expense (benefit) of $0, $18, $(2) and $(38)	-5	99	-35	173
Net income	$83	$139	$155	$334
Net income per share - basic
Income from continuing operations	$0.26	$0.12	$0.57	$0.48
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	($0.01)	$0.30	($0.11)	$0.52
Net income per share - basic	$0.25	$0.42	$0.46	$1
Net income per share - diluted
Income from continuing operations	$0.26	$0.12	$0.56	$0.48
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	($0.01)	$0.29	($0.10)	$0.51
Net income per share - diluted	$0.25	$0.41	$0.46	$0.99
Weighted average shares used in computing net income per share:
Basic (in shares)	334	333	335	333
Diluted (in shares)	337	337	337	338
Cash dividends declared per common share	$0.10	$0.13	$0.20	$0.26

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (PARENTHETICAL) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Income tax expense (benefit) from discontinued operations	$0	$18	($2)	$38

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$83	$139	$155	$334
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax benefit of $0, $0, $0 and $1	0	3	0	0
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of tax (expense) benefit of $1, $0, $(2) and $1	-1	1	6	-1
Amounts reclassified into earnings related to derivative instruments, net of tax (expense) benefit of $2, $0, $3 and $(1)	-5	0	-8	0
Foreign currency translation, net of tax expense (benefit) of $1, $(5), $7 and $0	-6	88	-271	33
Net defined benefit pension cost and post retirement plan costs:
Change in actuarial net loss, net of tax expense of $(2), $(2), $(4) and $(6)	6	12	10	25
Change in net prior service benefit, net of tax benefit of $1, $4, $3 and $8	-3	-8	-5	-16
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-9	96	-268	41
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$74	$235	($113)	$375

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax, parenthetical disclosures
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments,tax	$0	$0	$0	$1
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments, tax	1	0	-2	1
Amounts reclassified into earnings related to derivative instruments, tax	2	0	3	-1
Foreign currency translation, tax	1	-5	7	0
Net defined benefit pension cost and post retirement plan costs, tax
Change in actuarial net loss, tax	-2	-2	-4	-6
Change in net prior service benefit, tax	$1	$4	$3	$8

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited) (USD $)	Apr. 30, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$2,197	$2,218
Accounts receivable, net	576	626
Inventory	556	574
Other current assets	291	261
Current assets of discontinued operations	0	1,821
Total current assets	3,620	5,500
Property, plant and equipment, net	593	631
Goodwill	2,341	2,507
Other intangible assets, net	516	649
Long-term investments	91	96
Other assets	251	283
Non-current assets of discontinued operations	0	1,165
Total assets	7,412	10,831
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	261	302
Employee compensation and benefits	208	228
Deferred revenue	271	260
Other accrued liabilities	190	289
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	0	623
Total current liabilities	930	1,702
Long-term debt	1,656	1,663
Retirement and post-retirement benefits	176	209
Other long-term liabilities	489	522
Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations	0	1,434
Total liabilities	3,251	5,530
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 13)
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock; $0.01 par value; 125 million shares authorized; none issued and outstanding	0	0
Common stock; $0.01 par value; 2 billion shares authorized; 610 million shares at April 30, 2015 and 608 million shares at October 31, 2014, issued	6	6
Treasury stock at cost; 277 million shares at April 30, 2015 and 273 million shares at October 31, 2014	-9,975	-9,807
Additional paid-in-capital	9,000	8,967
Retained earnings	5,397	6,466
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-270	-334
Total stockholder's equity	4,158	5,298
Non-controlling interest	3	3
Total equity	4,161	5,301
Total liabilities and equity	$7,412	$10,831

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Apr. 30, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	125,000,000	125,000,000
Preferred stock, issued and outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	2,000,000,000	2,000,000,000
Common stock, issued and outstanding (in shares)	610,000,000	608,000,000
Treasury stock at cost, shares (in shares)	277,000,000	273,000,000

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME4

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$155	$334
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	131	193
Share-based compensation	33	58
Excess tax benefit from share-based plans	0	-3
Deferred taxes	-3	8
Excess and obsolete inventory related charges	13	23
Other non-cash expenses, net	5	8
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	16	-3
Inventory	-18	-56
Accounts payable	-35	44
Employee compensation and benefits	-7	4
Other assets and liabilities	-127	-91
Net cash provided by operating activities	163	519
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investments in property, plant and equipment	-52	-98
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	11	2
Payments to acquire equity method investments	-1	0
Loan to equity method investment	0	-4
Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents, net	1	0
Proceeds from divestitures	3	0
Acquisitions of businesses and intangible assets, net of cash acquired	0	-2
Net cash used in investing activities	-38	-102
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans	40	95
Payment of dividends	-67	-88
Excess tax benefit from share-based plans	0	3
Net transfer of cash and cash equivalents to Keysight	-734	0
Treasury stock repurchases	-168	-150
Net cash used in financing activities	-929	-140
Effect of exchange rate movements	-27	-2
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-831	275
Change in cash and cash equivalents within current assets of discontinued operations	810	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	2,218	2,675
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$2,197	$2,950

OVERVIEW_BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION

OVERVIEW, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
OVERVIEW AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	1	OVERVIEW, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Overview. Agilent Technologies Inc. ("we", "Agilent" or the "company"), incorporated in Delaware in May 1999, is a global leader in life sciences, diagnostics and applied chemical markets, providing application focused solutions that includes instruments, software, services and consumables for the entire laboratory workflow.
	Our fiscal year-end is October 31, and our fiscal quarters end on January 31, April 30 and July 31. Unless otherwise stated, these dates refer to our fiscal year and fiscal quarters.
	Keysight Separation. On November 1, 2014, we completed the distribution of 100% of the outstanding common shares of Keysight Technologies, Inc. ("Keysight") to Agilent stockholders who received one share of Keysight common stock for every two shares of Agilent held as of the close of business on the record date, October 22, 2014. The historical results of operations and the financial position of Keysight are included in the consolidated financial statements of Agilent and are reported as discontinued operations within this Form 10-Q. See "Basis of Presentation".
	New Segment Structure. In November 2014, we announced a change in organizational structure designed to better serve our customers. Our life sciences business, excluding the nucleic acid solutions division, together with the chemical analysis business combined to form a new segment called life sciences and applied markets business. Our diagnostics and genomics businesses combined with the nucleic acid solutions division from our life sciences business and became the diagnostics and genomics segment. Finally, the Agilent CrossLab segment was formed from the services and consumables businesses previously part of the life sciences and chemicals analysis businesses. Financial reporting under this new structure is included within this report on Form 10-Q and historical financial segment information has been recast to conform to this new presentation within our financial statements.
	Basis of Presentation. We have prepared the accompanying financial data for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014 pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the U.S. have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The accompanying financial data and information should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
	In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements contain all normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014, condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss) for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014, condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014, and condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014.
	The prior year results of operations and the prior year end financial position of Keysight are included in the consolidated financial statements of Agilent and reported as discontinued operations. The prior year statement of comprehensive income and prior year statement of cash flows have not been adjusted to reflect the effect of the separation of Keysight. Unless indicated otherwise, the information in the Notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements relates to our continuing operations.
	Use of estimates. The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions that may impact the company in the future, actual results may be different from the estimates. Our critical accounting policies are those that affect our financial statements materially and involve difficult, subjective or complex judgments by management. Those policies are revenue recognition, valuation of goodwill and purchased intangible assets, inventory valuation, share-based compensation, retirement and post-retirement plan assumptions, restructuring and accounting for income taxes.
	Update to Significant Accounting Policies. For the stock option and long term performance plan grants in 2015 we are now using a volatility measure derived from a selection of our peer companies.  In prior periods, we used Agilent stock historical volatility. We now consider this method to not be reflective of our future volatility due to the separation of Keysight. See Note 4, "Share-based compensation" for additional information. There have been no other material changes to our significant accounting policies, as compared to the significant accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments. The carrying values of certain of our financial instruments including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued compensation and other accrued liabilities approximate fair value because of their short maturities. The fair value of long-term equity investments is determined using quoted market prices for those securities when available. For those long-term equity investments accounted for under the cost or equity method, their carrying value approximates their estimated fair value. Equity method investments are reported at the amount of the company’s initial investment and adjusted each period for the company’s share of the investee’s income or loss and dividend paid. The fair value of our long-term debt, calculated from quoted prices which are primarily Level 1 inputs under the accounting guidance fair value hierarchy, exceeds the carrying value by approximately $72 million and $53 million as of April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014, respectively. The fair value of foreign currency contracts used for hedging purposes is estimated internally by using inputs tied to active markets. These inputs, for example, interest rate yield curves, foreign exchange rates, and forward and spot prices for currencies are observable in the market or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. See also Note 9, "Fair Value Measurements" for additional information on the fair value of financial instruments.
	Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets. Under the authoritative guidance we have the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary. The accounting standard gives an entity the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether performing the two-step test is necessary. If an entity believes, as a result of its qualitative assessment, that it is more-likely-than-not (i.e. greater than 50% chance) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the quantitative impairment test will be required. Otherwise, no further testing will be required.
	The guidance includes examples of events and circumstances that might indicate that a reporting unit's fair value is less than its carrying amount. These include macro-economic conditions such as deterioration in the entity's operating environment or industry or market considerations; entity-specific events such as increasing costs, declining financial performance, or loss of key personnel; or other events such as an expectation that a reporting unit will be sold or a sustained decrease in the stock price on either an absolute basis or relative to peers.
	If it is determined, as a result of the qualitative assessment, that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the provisions of authoritative guidance require that we perform a two-step impairment test on goodwill. In the first step, we compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. The second step (if necessary) measures the amount of impairment by applying fair-value-based tests to the individual assets and liabilities within each reporting unit. As defined in the authoritative guidance, a reporting unit is an operating segment, or one level below an operating segment. We aggregate components of an operating segment that have similar economic characteristics into our reporting units.
	In fiscal year 2014, we assessed goodwill impairment for three reporting units under our previous reporting structure. The chemical analysis segment contained one reporting unit and there were two reporting units under the life sciences and diagnostics segment. Within the life sciences and diagnostic business the first reporting unit related to our life sciences business and the second related to our diagnostics business. We performed a qualitative test for goodwill impairment of our previous three reporting units as of September 30, 2014. Based on the results of our qualitative testing, we believe that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of these reporting units are greater than their respective carrying values. Each quarter we review the events and circumstances to determine if goodwill impairment is indicated. In connection with our goodwill impairment testing in 2015, we assess for potential impairment of goodwill within our three new reporting units resulting from our reorganization. In the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014, there was no triggering event that would indicate that there was an impairment of goodwill therefore there was no impairment of goodwill during the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014.
	Purchased intangible assets consist primarily of acquired developed technologies, proprietary know-how, trademarks, and customer relationships and are amortized using the best estimate of the asset's useful life that reflect the pattern in which the economic benefits are consumed or used up or a straight-line method ranging from 6 months to 15 years. In-process research and development ("IPR&D") is initially capitalized at fair value as an intangible asset with an indefinite life and assessed for impairment thereafter. When the IPR&D project is complete, it is reclassified as an amortizable purchased intangible asset and is amortized over its estimated useful life. If an IPR&D project is abandoned, Agilent will record a charge for the value of the related intangible asset to Agilent's condensed consolidated statement of operations in the period it is abandoned.
	Agilent's indefinite-lived intangible assets are IPR&D intangible assets. The accounting guidance allows a qualitative approach for testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment, similar to the issued impairment testing guidance for goodwill and allows the option to first assess qualitative factors (events and circumstances) that could have affected the significant inputs used in determining the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not (i.e. greater than 50% chance) that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. An organization may choose to bypass the qualitative assessment for any indefinite-lived intangible asset in any period and proceed directly to calculating its fair value. We performed a qualitative test for impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets as of September 30, 2014. Based on the results of our qualitative testing, we believe that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of these indefinite-lived intangible assets is greater than their respective carrying values. Each quarter we review the events and circumstances to determine if impairment of indefinite-lived intangible asset is indicated. There was no impairment of indefinite-lived intangible asset during the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014.

NEW_ACCOUNTING_PRONOUNCEMENTS

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	2. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
	There were no changes to the new accounting pronouncements as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014 except for the following:
	In April 2014, FASB issued amendments to the guidance on discontinued operations. The guidance changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations while enhancing disclosures in this area. Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations should be presented as discontinued operations. Those strategic shifts should have a major effect on the organization’s operations and financial results. Examples include a disposal of a major geographic area, a major line of business, or a major equity method investment. Additionally, the new guidance requires expanded disclosures about discontinued operations that will provide financial statement users with more information about the assets, liabilities, income, expenses of discontinued operations and of the pre-tax income attributable to a disposal of a significant part of an organization that does not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. The new guidance is effective for Agilent prospectively for all disposals (or classifications as held for sale) of components of an entity that occur after November 1, 2016.
	The disclosure of Keysight meets the definition of a discontinued operation under both the existing and amended accounting guidance.
	In January 2015, FASB issued guidance on simplifying income statement presentation by eliminating the concept of extraordinary items from U.S. GAAP. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. A reporting entity may apply the amendments prospectively and retrospectively to all periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted provided that the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. We have evaluated the accounting guidance and determined that there is no impact of this update to our consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2015, FASB issued an amendment to the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. All legal entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation model. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015.  We do not expect to have an impact to our consolidated financial statements by adopting this amended guidance.
	In April 2015, FASB issued an amendment to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs. The amendments in this update require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs remain unchanged. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015.  Earlier adoption is permitted and we are currently evaluating when we will implement the guidance.   We do not expect the impact of adopting this guidance to be material to our consolidated financial statements.
	Other amendments to GAAP in the U.S. that have been issued by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

DISCONTINUED_OPERATIONS

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations Disclosure	3. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
	On September 19, 2013, Agilent announced its intention to separate its electronic measurement business, Keysight, which was previously a separate reportable segment, into a stand-alone publicly traded company. Keysight was incorporated in Delaware as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Agilent on December 6, 2013. On November 1, 2014, we completed the distribution of 100% of the outstanding common stock of Keysight to Agilent stockholders, who received one share of Keysight common stock for every two shares of Agilent common stock held as of the close of business on the record date, October 22, 2014. The separation agreement ensured that Keysight had approximately $700 million of total cash immediately following distribution.
	The historical results of operations and statement of financial position of Keysight have been presented as discontinued operations in the condensed consolidated financial statements and prior periods have been restated. Discontinued operations include results of Keysight's business except for certain allocated corporate overhead costs and certain costs associated with transition services provided by Agilent to Keysight. Discontinued operations also includes other costs incurred by Agilent to separate Keysight. These costs include transaction charges, advisory and consulting fees and information system expenses.
	The following table summarizes results from discontinued operations of Keysight included in the condensed consolidated statement of operations:
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		April 30,					April 30,
		2015			2014		2015			2014
		(in millions)
	Net revenue	$	—		$	743	$	—		$	1,414
	Costs and expenses	5			627		37			1,204
	Operating income (loss)	(5		)	116		(37		)	210
	Other income (expense), net	—			1		—			1
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations before tax	(5		)	117		(37		)	211
	Provision (benefit) for income taxes	—			18		(2		)	38
	Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	$	(5	)	$	99	$	(35	)	$	173
	Net income (loss) from discontinued operations includes transaction, information systems and other costs to effect the separation of $5 million and $37 million for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015, respectively. Net income (loss) from discontinued operations includes transaction, information systems and other costs to effect the separation of $39 million and $57 million for the three and six months ended April 30, 2014, respectively. In the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 only those costs incurred to effect the separation have been included. No income or expense has been recorded for the Keysight business after separation from Agilent on November 1, 2014.
	The following table presents Agilent's electronic measurement business assets and liabilities removed from the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of November 1, 2014 and presented as discontinued operations as of October 31, 2014:
		October 31, 2014
		(in millions)
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	810
	Accounts receivable, net	357
	Inventory	498
	Other current assets	156
	Current assets of discontinued operations	1,821
	Property, plant and equipment, net	470
	Goodwill	392
	Other intangible assets, net	18
	Long-term investments	63
	Other assets	222
	Non-current assets of discontinued operations	1,165
	Total assets of discontinued operations	$	2,986
	Liabilities:
	Accounts payable	$	173
	Employee compensation and benefits	167
	Deferred revenue	175
	Other accrued liabilities	108
	Current liabilities of discontinued operations	623
	Long-term debt	1,099
	Retirement and post-retirement benefits	213
	Other long-term liabilities	122
	Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations	1,434
	Total liabilities of discontinued operations	$	2,057
	In addition, $332 million of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes, primarily related to pension and other post retirement benefits plans and currency translation was also transferred to Keysight together with $28 million of additional paid in capital related to share based compensation windfall tax benefits. The removal of Keysight net assets and equity related adjustments is presented as a reduction in Agilent's retained earnings and represents a non cash financing activity excluding cash transferred. See Note 5 “Income Taxes” for tax implications of the distribution and Note 4 “Share Based Compensation” for changes to share based compensation awards as a result of the distribution of Keysight.
	In order to effect the separation and govern our relationship with Keysight after the separation, we entered into a Separation and Distribution Agreement and other agreements including a Tax Matters Agreement, an Employee Matters Agreement and a Transition Services Agreement. The Separation and Distribution Agreement governs the separation of the electronic measurement business, the transfer of assets and other matters related to our relationship with Keysight.
	The Tax Matters Agreement governs the respective rights, responsibilities and obligations of Keysight and Agilent with respect to taxes, tax attributes, tax returns, tax proceedings and certain other tax matters.
	The Employee Matters Agreement governs the compensation and employee benefit obligations with respect to the current and former employees and non-employee directors of Keysight and Agilent, and generally allocates liabilities and responsibilities relating to employee compensation, benefit plans and programs. The Employee Matters Agreement provides that employees of Keysight will no longer participate in benefit plans sponsored or maintained by Agilent. In addition, the Employee Matters Agreement provides that each of the parties will be responsible for their respective former and current employees and compensation plans for such current employees.
	Under the terms of the Transition Services Agreement, we agreed to provide administrative, site services, information technology systems and various other corporate and support services to Keysight over the period of 12-18 months after the separation on a cost or cost-plus basis. The most significant component of the service income is the provision of IT services that were largely completed by the end of the second quarter of 2015. In total we expect to receive income for all services provided to Keysight of approximately $12 million. In addition, Agilent expects to receive lease income from Keysight over the next 4-5 years of approximately $13 million per year.  In the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 other income (expense), net includes $7 million and $18 million, respectively, of income in respect of the provision of services to, and lease income from Keysight.

SHAREBASED_COMPENSATION

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION	4.     SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
	Agilent accounts for share-based awards in accordance with the provisions of the authoritative accounting guidance which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to our employees and directors including employee stock option awards, restricted stock units, employee stock purchases made under our employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) and performance share awards granted to selected members of our senior management under the long-term performance plan (“LTPP”) based on estimated fair values.
	The impact on our results for share-based compensation was as follows:
		Three Months Ended							Six Months Ended
		April 30,							April 30,
		2015			2014				2015			2014
		(in millions)
	Cost of products and services	$	2		$	3			$	7		$	9
	Research and development	1			1				3			5
	Selling, general and administrative	9			9				24			23
	Share-based compensation expense in continuing operations	$	12		$	13			$	34		$	37
	Share-based compensation expense in discontinued operations	—			9				—			22
	Total share-based compensation expense	$	12		$	22			$	34		$	59
	At April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014, there was no share-based compensation capitalized within inventory. For the three and six months ended April 30, 2015, the windfall tax benefit realized from exercised stock options and similar awards was zero. For the three and six months ended April 30, 2014, the windfall tax benefit realized from exercised stock options and similar awards was zero and $3 million, respectively.
	The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the options and LTPP grants.
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		April 30,					April 30,
		2015		2014			2015			2014
	Stock Option Plans:
	Weighted average risk-free interest rate	1.5	%	—			1.7	%		1.7	%
	Dividend yield	1	%	—			1	%		1	%
	Weighted average volatility	29	%	—			28	%		39	%
	Expected life	5.5 yrs		—			5.5 yrs			5.8 yrs
	LTPP:
	Volatility of Agilent shares	25	%	36	%		25	%		36	%
	Volatility of selected peer-company shares	12%-57%		13%-57%			12%-57%			13%-57%
	Price-wise correlation with selected peers	37	%	47	%		37	%		47	%
	In connection with the separation of Keysight on November 1, 2014 and in accordance with the Employee Matters Agreement we made certain adjustments to the exercise price and number of our share-based compensation awards with the intention of preserving the intrinsic value of the awards prior to the separation. Exercisable and non-exercisable stock options converted to those of the entity where the employee is working post-separation. Restricted stock units awards and long-term performance plan grants were adjusted to provide holders restricted stock units and long-term performance plan grants in the company that employs such employee following the separation. These adjustments to our stock-based compensation awards did not have a material impact on compensation expense.
	The fair value of share-based awards for employee stock option awards was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Shares granted under the LTPP were valued using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Both the Black-Scholes and Monte Carlo simulation fair value models require the use of highly subjective and complex assumptions, including the option’s expected life and the price volatility of the underlying stock. Due to the separation of Keysight on November 1, 2014, expected volatility for grants of options in fiscal 2015 was based on a 5.5 year average historical stock price volatility of a group of our peer companies.   For the volatility of our 2015 LTPP grants, we used the 3 year average historical stock price volatility of a group of our peer companies.   We believe our historical volatility prior to the separation of Keysight is no longer relevant to use.   For the grants of options and LTPP prior to November 1, 2014, the expected stock price volatility assumption was determined using the historical volatility of Agilent’s stock over the most recent historical period equivalent to the expected life of the stock options and LTPP.
	In developing our estimated life of our employees' stock options of 5.5 years, we considered the separation of Keysight and the historical option exercise behavior for our executive employees who were granted the majority of the options in the annual grants made which we believe is representative of future behavior.
	The estimated fair value of restricted stock unit awards is determined based on the market price of Agilent’s common stock on the date of grant adjusted for expected dividend yield. The ESPP allows eligible employees to purchase shares of our common stock at 85 percent of the purchase price and uses the purchase date to establish the fair market value.

INCOME_TAXES

INCOME TAXES	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	5.     INCOME TAXES
	The company’s effective tax rate from continuing operations was 8.3 percent and 9.1 percent for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015, respectively. The company's effective tax rate from continuing operations was 42.0 percent and 3.0 percent for the three and six months ended April 30, 2014, respectively. The income tax expense from continuing operations was $8 million and $19 million for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015, respectively. The income tax expense from continuing operations was $29 million and $5 million for the three and six months ended April 30, 2014.
	The income tax provision from continuing operations for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 included net discrete tax benefits of $9 million and $21 million, respectively. The net discrete tax benefit for the three months ended April 30, 2015 included $16 million of tax benefit related to the de-registration of certain foreign branches, an out of period adjustment for $4 million tax expense related to foreign deferred tax assets and $3 million of other discrete tax expense. In addition to the aforementioned, the net discrete tax benefit for the six months ended April 30, 2015 included $6 million of tax benefit for the extension of the U.S. research and development tax credit attributable to the company's prior fiscal year, out of period adjustments for $13 million of tax benefit related to a tax rate change in Denmark and $4 million of tax expense attributable to an error discovered on a prior year U.S. tax return, and $3 million of other discrete tax expense. The out of period adjustments are not considered to be material to current or prior periods.
	The income tax provision for the three and six months ended April 30, 2014 included a net discrete expense of $13 million and net discrete benefit of $31 million, respectively. The net discrete tax expense for the three months ended April 30, 2014 included $12 million out of period adjustment of tax expense for corrections to transfer pricing for tax years 2012 and 2013. The out of period adjustment is not considered to be material to total liabilities or tax expense in the current or prior periods. In addition to the aforementioned, the net discrete tax benefit for the six months ended April 30, 2014 included $50 million primarily due to the settlement of an Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") audit in the U.S. and the recognition of tax expense related to the repatriation of dividends to the U.S.
	On November 1, 2014, Agilent transferred deferred tax assets of $238 million, deferred tax liabilities of $37 million, current income tax payable of $40 million, and other long-term liabilities related to uncertain tax positions totaling $8 million to Keysight as part of its separation from Agilent. A current prepaid income tax asset of $19 million and long-term prepaid income tax asset of $3 million related to sales of intercompany assets was also transferred to Keysight upon separation from Agilent.
	In the U.S., tax years remain open back to the year 2008 for federal income tax purposes and the year 2000 for significant states. On January 29, 2014 we reached an agreement with the IRS for the tax years 2006 through 2007. The settlement resulted in the recognition, within the continuing operations, of previously unrecognized tax benefits of $111 million, offset by a tax liability on foreign distributions of approximately $61 million principally related to additional foreign earnings that were recognized in conjunction with the settlement. Agilent's U.S. federal income tax returns for 2008 through 2011 are currently under audit by the IRS.
	In connection with the settlement of the 2006-2007 IRS audit, we identified during the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 an overstatement of approximately $65 million in our long-term tax liabilities. The overstatement was recorded in 2008 as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle when we adopted Accounting Standard Codification 740-10, Income Taxes. Accordingly, we corrected the error by reducing long-term tax liabilities and increasing retained earnings by $65 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2014. The correction had no impact on net income or cash flows in any prior period and is not considered material to total liabilities or equity in any prior period.
	In other major jurisdictions where the company conducts business, the tax years generally remain open back to the year 2003.  With these jurisdictions and the U.S., it is reasonably possible that there could be significant changes to our unrecognized tax benefits in the next twelve months due to either the expiration of a statute of limitation or a tax audit settlement.  Given the number of years and numerous matters that remain subject to examination in various tax jurisdictions, management is unable to estimate the range of possible changes to the balance of our unrecognized tax benefits.

NET_INCOME_PER_SHARE

NET INCOME PER SHARE	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
NET INCOME PER SHARE	6. NET INCOME PER SHARE
	The following is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted net income per share computations for the periods presented below:
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		April 30,					April 30,
		2015			2014		2015			2014
		(in millions)
	Numerator:
	Income from continuing operations	$	88		$	40	$	190		$	161
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(5		)	99		(35		)	173
	Net income	$	83		$	139	$	155		$	334
	Denominator:
	Basic weighted-average shares	334			333		335			333
	Potential common shares— stock options and other employee stock plans	3			4		2			5
	Diluted weighted-average shares	337			337		337			338
	In connection with the separation of Keysight on November 1, 2014 and in accordance with the Employee Matters Agreement we made certain adjustments to the exercise price and number of our share-based compensation awards. These adjustments to our share-based awards did not have a material impact on our dilutive weighted average shares.
	The dilutive effect of share-based awards is reflected in diluted net income per share by application of the treasury stock method, which includes consideration of unamortized share-based compensation expense, the tax benefits or shortfalls recorded to additional paid-in capital and the dilutive effect of in-the-money options and non-vested restricted stock units. Under the treasury stock method, the amount the employee must pay for exercising stock options and unamortized share-based compensation expense and tax benefits or shortfalls collectively are assumed proceeds to be used to repurchase hypothetical shares. An increase in the fair market value of the company's common stock can result in a greater dilutive effect from potentially dilutive awards.
	We exclude stock options with exercise prices greater than the average market price of our common stock from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive. For the three and six months ended April 30, 2015, 66,200 and 672,500 options to purchase shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share, respectively. For the three and six months ended April 30, 2014, no options to purchase shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for both periods. In addition, we also exclude from the calculation of diluted earnings per share, stock options, ESPP, LTPP and restricted stock awards whose combined exercise price, unamortized fair value and excess tax benefits or shortfalls collectively were greater than the average market price of our common stock because their effect would also be anti-dilutive.  For the three and six months ended April 30, 2015, 1.4 million and 690,200 additional options to purchase shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share. For the three and six months ended April 30, 2014, 1.3 million and 657,400 additional shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share, respectively.

INVENTORY

INVENTORY	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
INVENTORY	7. INVENTORY
		April 30,		October 31,
		2015		2014
		(in millions)
	Finished goods	$	367	$	366
	Purchased parts and fabricated assemblies	189		208
	Inventory	$	556	$	574

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	8. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	The following table presents goodwill balances and the movements for each of our reportable segments during the six months ended April 30, 2015:
		Life Sciences and Applied Markets			Diagnostics and Genomics			Agilent CrossLab			Total
		(in millions)
	Goodwill as of October 31, 2014	$	668		$	1,345		$	494		$	2,507
	Foreign currency translation impact	(10		)	(149		)	(7		)	(166		)
	Goodwill as of April 30, 2015	$	658		$	1,196		$	487		$	2,341
	The components of other intangibles as of April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014 are shown in the table below:
		Purchased Other Intangible Assets
		Gross			Accumulated			Net Book
		Carrying			Amortization			Value
		Amount			and
					Impairments
		(in millions)
	As of October 31, 2014:
	Purchased technology	$	880		$	475		$	405
	Trademark/Tradename	167			52			115
	Customer relationships	368			257			111
	Total amortizable intangible assets	1,415			784			631
	In-Process R&D	18			—			18
	Total	$	1,433		$	784		$	649
	As of April 30, 2015:
	Purchased technology	845			527			318
	Trademark/Tradename	156			58			98
	Customer relationships	361			280			81
	Total amortizable intangible assets	1,362			865			497
	In-Process R&D	19			—			19
	Total	$	1,381		$	865		$	516
	During the six months ended April 30, 2015, there were no additions to goodwill or to other intangible assets. During the six months ended April 30, 2015, other intangible assets decreased $52 million, due to the impact of foreign exchange translation. During the six months ended April 30, 2014, there were no additions to goodwill or to other intangible assets.
	Amortization of intangible assets was $38 million and $81 million for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015, respectively. Amortization of intangible assets was $49 million and $98 million for the three and six months ended April 30, 2014, respectively. Future amortization expense related to existing finite-lived purchased intangible assets is estimated to be $75 million for the remainder of 2015, $132 million for 2016, $92 million for 2017, $61 million for 2018, $46 million for 2019, $36 million for 2020, and $55 million thereafter.

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	9. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	The authoritative guidance defines fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, we consider the principal or most advantageous market and assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.
	Fair Value Hierarchy
	The guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the use of inputs used in valuation techniques into three levels. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
	Level 1- applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2- applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for the asset or liability such as: quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in less active markets; or other inputs that can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
	Level 3- applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
	Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
	Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of April 30, 2015 were as follows:
				Fair Value Measurement at April 30, 2015 Using
		April 30,		Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant
		2015		in Active		Other		Unobservable
				Markets for		Observable		Inputs
				Identical Assets		Inputs		(Level 3)
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)
		(in millions)
	Assets:
	Short-term
	Cash equivalents (money market funds)	$	1,553	$	1,553	$	—	$	—
	Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	16		—		16		—
	Long-term
	Trading securities	35		35		—		—
	Total assets measured at fair value	$	1,604	$	1,588	$	16	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Short-term
	Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	$	9	$	—	$	9	$	—
	Long-term
	Deferred compensation liability	35		—		35		—
	Total liabilities measured at fair value	$	44	$	—	$	44	$	—
	Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of October 31, 2014 were as follows:
				Fair Value Measurement at October 31, 2014 Using
		October 31,		Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant
		2014		in Active		Other		Unobservable
				Markets for		Observable		Inputs
				Identical Assets		Inputs		(Level 3)
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)
		(in millions)
	Assets:
	Short-term
	Cash equivalents (money market funds)	$	1,117	$	1,117	$	—	$	—
	Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	10		—		10		—
	Long-term
	Trading securities	35		35		—		—
	Total assets measured at fair value	$	1,162	$	1,152	$	10	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Short-term
	Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	$	4	$	—	$	4	$	—
	Long-term
	Deferred compensation liability	35		—		35		—
	Total liabilities measured at fair value	$	39	$	—	$	39	$	—
	Our money market funds and trading securities investments are generally valued using quoted market prices and therefore are classified within level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Our derivative financial instruments are classified within level 2, as there is not an active market for each hedge contract, but the inputs used to calculate the value of the instruments are tied to active markets. Our deferred compensation liability is classified as level 2 because, although the values are not directly based on quoted market prices, the inputs used in the calculations are observable.
	Trading securities and deferred compensation liability are reported at fair value, with gains or losses resulting from changes in fair value recognized currently in net income. Certain derivative instruments are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, included in other comprehensive income.
	Impairment of Investments. There were no impairments for investments for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014.
	Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis
	For the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014, there were no impairments of long-lived assets held and used. For the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014, there were no impairments of long-lived assets held for sale.

DERIVATIVES

DERIVATIVES	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
DERIVATIVES	10. DERIVATIVES
	We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and interest rate changes in the normal course of our business. As part of risk management strategy, we use derivative instruments, primarily forward contracts, purchased options to hedge economic and/or accounting exposures resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
	Fair Value Hedges
	We are exposed to interest rate risk due to the mismatch between the interest expense we pay on our loans at fixed rates and the variable rates of interest we receive from cash, cash equivalents and other short-term investments. We have issued long-term debt in U.S. dollars at fixed interest rates based on the market conditions at the time of financing. The fair value of our fixed rate debt changes when the underlying market rates of interest change, and, in the past, we have used interest rate swaps to change our fixed interest rate payments to U.S. dollar LIBOR-based variable interest expense to match the floating interest income from our cash, cash equivalents and other short term investments. As of April 30, 2015, all interest rate swap contracts had either been terminated or had expired.
	On November 25, 2008, we terminated two interest rate swap contracts associated with our 2017 senior notes that represented the notional amount of $400 million. On October 20, 2014 we prepaid $500 million out of $600 million principal of our 2017 senior notes and fully amortized the associated proportionate deferred gain to other income (expense). The remaining gain to be amortized related to the $100 million of 2017 senior notes at April 30, 2015 was $2 million. On August 9, 2011, we terminated five interest rate swap contracts related to our 2020 senior notes that represented the notional amount of $500 million. The gain to be amortized at April 30, 2015 was $20 million. All deferred gains from terminated interest rate swaps are being amortized over the remaining life of the respective senior notes.
	Cash Flow Hedges
	We enter into foreign exchange contracts to hedge our forecasted operational cash flow exposures resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. These foreign exchange contracts, carried at fair value, have maturities between one and twelve months. These derivative instruments are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges under the criteria prescribed in the authoritative guidance. The changes in fair value of the effective portion of the derivative instrument are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Amounts associated with cash flow hedges are reclassified to cost of sales in the condensed consolidated statement of operations when the forecasted transaction occurs. If it becomes probable that the forecasted transaction will not occur, the hedge relationship will be de-designated and amounts accumulated in other comprehensive income (loss) will be reclassified to other income (expense) in the current period. Changes in the fair value of the ineffective portion of derivative instruments are recognized in other income (expense) in the condensed consolidated statement of operations in the current period. We record the premium paid (time value) of an option on the date of purchase as an asset. For options designated as cash flow hedges, changes in the time value are excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness and are recognized in other income (expense) over the life of the option contract. Ineffectiveness in the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014 was not significant. For the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014 gains and losses recognized in other income (expense) due to de-designation of cash flow hedge contracts were not significant.
	In July 2012, Agilent executed treasury lock agreements for $400 million in connection with future interest payments to be made on our 2022 senior notes issued on September 10, 2012. We designated the treasury lock as a cash flow hedge. The treasury lock contracts were terminated on September 10, 2012 and we recognized a deferred gain in accumulated other comprehensive income of $3 million which is being amortized to interest expense over the life of the 2022 senior notes.
	Other Hedges
	Additionally, we enter into foreign exchange contracts to hedge monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of our subsidiaries. These foreign exchange contracts are carried at fair value and do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment and are not designated as hedging instruments. Changes in value of the derivative are recognized in other income (expense) in the condensed consolidated statement of operations, in the current period, along with the offsetting foreign currency gain or loss on the underlying assets or liabilities.
	Our use of derivative instruments exposes us to credit risk to the extent that the counterparties may be unable to meet the terms of the agreement. We do, however, seek to mitigate such risks by limiting our counterparties to major financial institutions which are selected based on their credit ratings and other factors.  We have established policies and procedures for mitigating credit risk that include establishing counterparty credit limits, monitoring credit exposures, and continually assessing the creditworthiness of counterparties.
	A number of our derivative agreements contain threshold limits to the net liability position with counterparties and are dependent on our corporate credit rating determined by the major credit rating agencies. The counterparties to the derivative instruments may request collateralization, in accordance with derivative agreements, on derivative instruments in net liability positions.
	The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that were in a net liability position as of April 30, 2015, was $4 million. The credit-risk-related contingent features underlying these agreements had not been triggered as of April 30, 2015.
	There were 58 foreign exchange forward contracts open as of April 30, 2015 and designated as cash flow hedges. There were 154 foreign exchange forward contracts open as of April 30, 2015 not designated as hedging instruments. The aggregated notional amounts by currency and designation as of April 30, 2015 were as follows:
			Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow				Derivatives
			Hedges				Not
							Designated
							as Hedging
							Instruments
			Forward				Forward				Forward
			Contracts USD				Contracts USD				Contracts DKK
	Currency		Buy/(Sell)				Buy/(Sell)				Buy/(Sell)
			(in millions)
	Euro		$	(49	)		$	124			$	(58	)
	British Pound		(39		)		(2		)		(5		)
	Canadian Dollar		(31		)		—				(2		)
	Australian Dollar		1				16				(2		)
	Malaysian Ringgit		—				(1		)		—
	Japanese Yen		(66		)		(10		)		(1		)
	American Dollar		—				—				37
	Other		(1		)		3				—
	Totals		$	(185	)		$	130			$	(31	)
	Derivative instruments are subject to master netting arrangements and are disclosed gross in the balance sheet in accordance with the authoritative guidance. The gross fair values and balance sheet location of derivative instruments held in the consolidated balance sheet as of April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014 were as follows:
	Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
	Asset Derivatives										Liability Derivatives
			Fair Value										Fair Value
	Balance Sheet Location		April 30,				October 31,				Balance Sheet Location		April 30,				October 31,
			2015				2014						2015				2014
	(in millions)
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Cash flow hedges
	Foreign exchange contracts
	Other current assets		$	7			$	9			Other accrued liabilities		$	2			$	1
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange contracts
	Other current assets		$	9			$	1			Other accrued liabilities		$	7			$	3
	Total derivatives		$	16			$	10					$	9			$	4
	The effect of derivative instruments for foreign exchange contracts designated as hedging instruments and not designated as hedging instruments in our consolidated statement of operations were as follows:
		Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
		April 30,								April 30,
		2015				2014				2015				2014
		(in millions)
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Cash Flow Hedges
	Foreign exchange contracts:
	Gain (loss) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(2	)		$	1			$	8			$	(2	)
	Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into cost of sales	$	7			$	—			$	11			$	(1	)
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Gain (loss) recognized in other income (expense)	$	(4	)		$	5			$	(17	)		$	4
	The estimated amount of existing net gain at April 30, 2015 that is expected to be reclassified from other comprehensive income to cost of sales within the next twelve months is $5 million.

EXIT_OF_NMR_BUSINESS

EXIT OF NMR BUSINESS	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	11.   EXIT OF NMR BUSINESS
	During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014, we made the decision to cease the manufacture and sale of our NMR product line within our life sciences and applied markets segment. The exit of the NMR business was primarily due to the lack of growth and profitability of the product line. These actions involved severance and other personnel costs related to the workforce reduction of approximately 300 employees primarily located in the United Kingdom and California and non-cash charges related to intangible asset impairments and other asset write-downs including inventory. We expect to substantially complete these restructuring activities by the end of fiscal 2016. As of April 30, 2015, approximately 180 employees are pending termination under the above actions.
	A summary of total “NMR” restructuring activity and other special charges is shown in the table below:
		Workforce			Special Charges Related to Inventory and Others			Total
		Reduction
		(in millions)
	Balance as of October 31, 2014	$	14		$	3		$	17
	Income statement expense	2			7			9
	Inventory charges and other	—			(5		)	(5		)
	Cash payments	(7		)	—			(7		)
	Balance as of April 30, 2015	$	9		$	5		$	14
	The restructuring and other special accruals related to the NMR closure, which totaled $14 million at April 30, 2015, are recorded in other accrued liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. These balances reflect estimated future cash outlays.

RETIREMENT_PLANS_AND_POST_RETI

RETIREMENT PLANS AND POST RETIREMENT PENSION PLANS	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
RETIREMENT PLANS AND POST RETIREMENT PENSION PLANS	12. RETIREMENT PLANS AND POST RETIREMENT PENSION PLANS
	In connection with the separation of Keysight on November 1, 2014, Agilent transferred certain liabilities and assets of the U.S. and Non-U.S. defined benefit pension plans, and U.S. Post-Retirement Benefit Plans to similar plans created for Keysight employees as follows:
		U.S. Defined			Non-U.S. Defined			U.S. Post-Retirement
		Benefit Plans			Benefit Plans			Benefit Plans
		(in millions)
	Fair value of plan assets transferred to Keysight	$	491		$	1,318		$	187
	Benefit obligation transferred to Keysight	$	514		$	1,429		$	206
	Plan Amendments. Effective November 1, 2014, Agilent’s U.S. defined benefit retirement plan closed to new entrants including new employees, new transfers to the U.S. payroll and rehires. These employees are instead eligible for an enhanced 6 percent employer match in the Agilent 401(k) plan.   In addition, any new employee hired on or after November 1, 2014, is not eligible to participate in the retiree medical plans upon retiring. Current eligible employees will continue to participate in the U.S. defined benefit retirement plan and retiree medical programs in place today and will remain eligible for the 401(k) plan with the current 4 percent employer match.  Retirees will maintain the retirement benefits and retiree medical benefits they are eligible for today.
	Components of net periodic costs. For the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014, our net pension and post retirement benefit costs were comprised of the following:
		Pensions
		U.S. Plans						Non-U.S.						U.S. Post Retirement
								Plans						Benefit Plans
		Three Months Ended April 30,
		2015			2014			2015			2014			2015			2014
		(in millions)
	Service cost—benefits earned during the period	$	6		$	12		$	4		$	9		$	1		$	1
	Interest cost on benefit obligation	3			8			6			19			1			3
	Expected return on plan assets	(7		)	(16		)	(10		)	(29		)	(2		)	(6		)
	Amortization:
	Actuarial losses	1			—			6			11			1			4
	Prior service cost	(1		)	(3		)	—			—			(3		)	(9		)
	Total net plan costs	$	2		$	1		$	6		$	10		$	(2	)	$	(7	)
	Summary of net plan costs:
	Continuing operations	2			—			6			7			(2		)	(4		)
	Discontinued operations	—			1			—			3			—			(3		)
	Total net plan costs	$	2		$	1		$	6		$	10		$	(2	)	$	(7	)
		Pensions
		U.S. Plans						Non-U.S.						U.S. Post Retirement
								Plans						Benefit Plans
		Six Months Ended April 30,
		2015			2014			2015			2014			2015			2014
		(in millions)
	Service cost—benefits earned during the period	$	12		$	24		$	8		$	18		$	2		$	2
	Interest cost on benefit obligation	7			16			12			37			2			6
	Expected return on plan assets	(14		)	(32		)	(21		)	(58		)	(4		)	(11		)
	Amortization:
	Actuarial losses	2			—			13			22			2			7
	Prior service cost	(2		)	(6		)	—			—			(6		)	(18		)
	Total net plan costs	$	5		$	2		$	12		$	19		$	(4	)	$	(14	)
	Summary of net plan costs:
	Continuing operations	5			—			12			13			(4		)	(8		)
	Discontinued operations	—			2			—			6			—			(6		)
	Total net plan costs	$	5		$	2		$	12		$	19		$	(4	)	$	(14	)
	We contributed $15 million and $15 million to our U.S. defined benefit plans during the three and six months ended April 30, 2015, respectively. We contributed $6 million and $11 million to our non-U.S. defined benefit plans during the three and six months ended April 30, 2015, respectively.
	We contributed $15 million and $15 million to our U.S. defined benefit plans during the three and six months ended April 30, 2014, respectively. We contributed $8 million and $15 million to our non-U.S. defined benefit plans during the three and six months ended April 30, 2014, respectively.
	We do not expect to contribute to our U.S. defined benefit plans during the remainder of 2015 and we expect to contribute $15 million to our non-U.S. defined benefit plans during the remainder of 2015.

WARRANTIES_AND_CONTINGENCIES

WARRANTIES AND CONTINGENCIES	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
WARRANTIES AND CONTINGENCIES	13. WARRANTIES AND CONTINGENCIES
	Warranties
	We accrue for standard warranty costs based on historical trends in warranty charges as a percentage of net product shipments. The accrual is reviewed regularly and periodically adjusted to reflect changes in warranty cost estimates. Estimated warranty charges are recorded within cost of products at the time products are sold. The standard warranty accrual balances are held in other accrued and other long-term liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. Our standard warranty terms typically extend to one year from the date of delivery, depending on the product.
	A summary of the standard warranty accrual activity is shown in the table below:
		Six Months Ended
		April 30,
		2015			2014
		(in millions)
	Beginning balance as of November 1	$	30		$	31
	Accruals for warranties including change in estimate	22			20
	Settlements made during the period	(24		)	(23		)
	Ending balance as of April 30	$	28		$	28
	Accruals for warranties due within one year	$	26		$	25
	Accruals for warranties due after one year	2			3
	Ending balance as of April 30	$	28		$	28
	Contingencies
	We are involved in lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings, including patent, commercial and environmental matters. There are no matters pending that we currently believe are probable of having a material impact to our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

SHORTTERM_DEBT

SHORT-TERM DEBT	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Short-term Debt [Abstract]
SHORT-TERM DEBT	14. SHORT-TERM DEBT
	Credit Facilities
	On September 15, 2014 Agilent entered into a credit agreement with a financial institution which provides for a $400 million five-year unsecured credit facility that will expire on September 15, 2019. As of April 30, 2015, the company had no borrowings outstanding under the facility. We were in compliance with the covenants for the credit facility during the three and six months ended April 30, 2015.
	As a result of the Dako acquisition, we have a credit facility in Danish Krone equivalent of $8 million with a Danish financial institution. No borrowings were outstanding under the facility as of April 30, 2015.

LONGTERM_DEBT

LONG-TERM DEBT	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
LONG-TERM DEBT	15. LONG-TERM DEBT
	Senior Notes
	The following table summarizes the company’s long-term senior notes and the related interest rate swaps:
		April 30, 2015						October 31, 2014
		Amortized Principal		Swap		Total		Amortized		Swap		Total
								Principal
		(in millions)
	2017 Senior Notes	$	100	$	2	$	102	$	100	$	3	$	103
	2020 Senior Notes	499		20		519		499		22		521
	2022 Senior Notes	399		—		399		399		—		399
	2023 Senior Notes	598		—		598		598		—		598
	Total	$	1,596	$	22	$	1,618	$	1,596	$	25	$	1,621
	All outstanding notes listed above are unsecured and rank equally in right of payment with all of Agilent’s other senior unsecured indebtedness. There have been no changes to the principal, maturity, interest rates and interest payment terms of the Agilent senior notes, detailed in the table above, in the six months ended April 30, 2015 as compared to the senior notes described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014. All swap contracts have been terminated and amounts to be amortized over the remaining life of the senior notes as of April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014 are detailed above.
	Other Debt
	As of April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014, we have mortgage debt, secured on buildings in Denmark, in Danish Krone equivalent of $38 million and $42 million, respectively, aggregate principal outstanding with a Danish financial institution. The loans have a variable interest rate based on 3 months Copenhagen Interbank Rate ("Cibor") and will mature on September 30, 2027. Interest payments are made in March, June, September and December of each year.

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY	16. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Stock Repurchase Program
	On November 22, 2013 we announced that our board of directors had authorized a share repurchase program effective in the first quarter of fiscal year 2014, upon the conclusion of the company's $1 billion repurchase program. The program is designed to reduce or eliminate dilution resulting from issuance of stock under the company's employee equity incentive programs to target maintaining a weighted average share count of approximately 335 million diluted shares.
	For the six months ended April 30, 2015, we repurchased 4 million shares for $168 million. For the six months ended April 30, 2014, 3 million shares were repurchased for $150 million. All such shares and related costs are held as treasury stock and accounted for using the cost method.
	On May 28, 2015 we announced that our board of directors had approved a new share repurchase program. The new share repurchase program authorizes the purchase of up to $1.14 billion of our common stock through and including November 1, 2018. See also Note 18, "Subsequent Events".
	Cash Dividends on Shares of Common Stock
	During the six months ended April 30, 2015, we paid cash dividends of $0.200 per common share or $67 million on the company's common stock. During the six months ended April 30, 2014, we paid cash dividends of $0.264 per common share or $88 million on the company's common stock.
	On May 20, 2015 our board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.100 per share of common stock, or approximately $33 million which will be paid on July 22, 2015 to all shareholders of record at close of business on June 30, 2015.
	The timing and amounts of any future dividends are subject to determination and approval by our board of directors.
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component and related tax effects were as follows (in millions):
								Net defined benefit pension cost and post retirement plan costs
	Three Months Ended April 30, 2015	Unrealized gain on investments			Foreign currency translation			Prior service credits			Actuarial Losses			Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives			Total
		(in millions)
	As of January 31, 2015	$	—		$	(118	)	$	170		$	(323	)	$	10		$	(261	)
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	—			(7		)	—			—			(2		)	(9		)
	Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	—			—			(4		)	8			(7		)	(3		)
	Tax (expense) benefit	—			1			1			(2		)	3			3
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	—			(6		)	(3		)	6			(6		)	(9		)
	As of April 30, 2015	$	—		$	(124	)	$	167		$	(317	)	$	4		$	(270	)
	Six Months Ended April 30, 2015
	As of October 31, 2014	$	17		$	156		$	255		$	(771	)	$	9		$	(334	)
	Transfer to Keysight	(17		)	(9		)	(83		)	444			(3		)	332
	Balance after transfer to Keysight	—			147			172			(327		)	6			(2		)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	—			(278		)	—			(3		)	8			(273		)
	Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	—			—			(8		)	17			(11		)	(2		)
	Tax (expense) benefit	—			7			3			(4		)	1			7
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	—			(271		)	(5		)	10			(2		)	(268		)
	As of April 30, 2015	$	—		$	(124	)	$	167		$	(317	)	$	4		$	(270	)
	Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in millions):
	Details about accumulated other	Amounts Reclassified												Affected line item in
	comprehensive income (loss) components	from other comprehensive income (loss)												statement of operations
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		April 30,						April 30,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Unrealized gains and (losses) on derivatives	$	7		$	—		$	11		$	(1	)	Cost of products
		7			—			11			(1		)	Total before income tax
		(2		)	—			(3		)	1			(Provision)/benefit for income tax
		5			—			8			—			Total net of income tax
	Net defined benefit pension cost and post retirement plan costs:
	Actuarial net loss	(8		)	(14		)	(17		)	(31		)
	Prior service benefit	4			12			8			24
		(4		)	(2		)	(9		)	(7		)	Total before income tax
		1			—			1			—			Benefit for income tax
		(3		)	(2		)	(8		)	(7		)	Total net of income tax
	Total reclassifications for the period	$	2		$	(2	)	$	—		$	(7	)
	Amounts in parentheses indicate reductions to income and increases to other comprehensive income (loss).
	Reclassifications of prior service benefit and actuarial net loss in respect of retirement plans and post retirement pension plans are included in the computation of net periodic cost (see Note 12 "Retirement Plans and Post Retirement Pension Plans").

SEGMENT_INFORMATION

SEGMENT INFORMATION	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
SEGMENT INFORMATION	17. SEGMENT INFORMATION
	Description of segments. We are a global leader in life sciences, diagnostics and applied chemical markets, providing application focused solutions that include instruments, software, services and consumables for the entire laboratory workflow. In the first fiscal quarter of 2015, we completed the separation of our electronic measurement business. See Note 3 "Discontinued Operations" for further information.
	In November 2014, we announced a change in organizational structure designed to better serve our customers. Our new structure reflects our strategy to focus our expertise on the market segments we serve and utilize our resources to offer product solutions to address our customer needs. The new operating structure ensures that we are able to respond to market demand while reducing costs through increased efficiencies. As a result, our life sciences business, excluding the nucleic acid solutions division, together with the chemical analysis business merged to form a new segment called life sciences and applied markets business. Our diagnostics and genomics businesses combined and includes the nucleic acid solutions division of our life sciences business and became the diagnostics and genomics segment. Finally, the Agilent CrossLab segment was formed from the services and consumables businesses. The historical financial segment information has been recast to conform to this new presentation.
	Following this reorganization, Agilent has three business segments comprised of the life sciences and applied markets business, diagnostics and genomics business and the Agilent CrossLab business each of which comprises a reportable segment. The three operating segments were determined based primarily on how the chief operating decision maker views and evaluates our operations. Operating results are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and to assess its 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.
	A description of our three reportable segments is as follows:
	Our life sciences and applied markets business provides application-focused solutions that include instruments and software that enable customers to identify, quantify and analyze the physical and biological properties of substances and products, as well as enable customers in the clinical and life sciences research areas to interrogate samples at the molecular level. Key product categories include: liquid chromatography ("LC") systems and components; liquid chromatography mass spectrometry ("LCMS") systems; gas chromatography ("GC") systems and components; gas chromatography mass spectrometry ("GCMS") systems; inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry ("ICP-MS") instruments; atomic absorption ("AA") instruments; microwave plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (“MP-AES”) instruments; inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry ("ICP-OES") instruments; laboratory software and informatics systems; laboratory automation and robotic systems; dissolution testing; X-Ray diffraction systems; vacuum pumps and measurement technologies.
	Our diagnostics and genomics business is comprised of three areas of activity providing solutions that include reagents, instruments, software and consumables that enable customers in the clinical and life sciences research areas to interrogate samples at the cellular and molecular level. First, our Dako business is focused on product offerings to cancer diagnostics and anatomic pathology workflows. The broad portfolio of offerings includes immunohistochemistry (“IHC”), In Situ Hybridization (“ISH”), Hematoxylin and Eosin (“H&E”) staining and special staining. We also collaborate with a number of major pharmaceutical companies to develop new potential pharmacodiagnostics, also known as companion diagnostics, which may be used to identify patients most likely to benefit from a specific targeted therapy. Secondly our genomics business includes arrays for DNA mutation detection, genotyping, gene copy number determination, identification of gene rearrangements, DNA methylation profiling, gene expression profiling, as well as Next Generation Sequencing ("NGS") target enrichment. Finally our nucleic acid solutions business provides equipment and expertise focused on production of synthesized oligonucleotides under pharmaceutical Good Manufacturing Practices ("GMP") conditions for use as Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients ("API") in an emerging class of drugs that utilize nucleic acid molecules for disease therapy.
	The Agilent CrossLab business spans the entire lab with its extensive consumables and services portfolio, which is designed to improve customer outcomes. The majority of the portfolio is vendor neutral, meaning Agilent can serve and supply customers regardless of their instrument purchase choices. Solutions range from chemistries and supplies to services and software helping to connect the entire lab. Key product categories in consumables include GC and LC columns, sample preparation products, custom chemistries, and a large selection of laboratory instrument supplies. Services include startup, operational, training and compliance support, as well as asset management and consultative services that help increase customer productivity. Custom service and consumable bundles are tailored to meet the specific application needs of various industries and to keep instruments fully operational and compliant with the respective industry requirements.
	A significant portion of the segments' expenses arise from shared services and infrastructure that we have historically provided to the segments in order to realize economies of scale and to efficiently use resources. These expenses, collectively called corporate charges, include legal, accounting, real estate, insurance services, information technology services, treasury, other corporate infrastructure expenses and costs of centralized research and development. Charges are allocated to the segments, and the allocations have been determined on a basis that we consider to be a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services provided to or benefits received by the segments. Corporate charges previously allocated to our electronic measurement business, but not classified within discontinued operations, were not reallocated to our other segments. These charges are presented below as a component of the reconciliation between segments' income from operations and Agilent's income from continuing operations and are classified as unallocated corporate charges. In addition, we do not allocate amortization and impairment of acquisition-related intangible assets, restructuring and transformational expenses, acquisition and integration costs and certain other charges to the operating margin for each segment because management does not include this information in its measurement of the performance of the operating segments.
	The following tables reflect the results of our reportable segments under our management reporting system. These results are not necessarily in conformity with U.S. GAAP. The performance of each segment is measured based on several metrics, including adjusted income from operations. These results are used, in part, by the chief operating decision maker in evaluating the performance of, and in allocating resources to, each of the segments.
	The profitability of each of the segments is measured after excluding restructuring and asset impairment charges, investment gains and losses, interest income, interest expense, acquisition and integration costs, non-cash amortization and other items as noted in the reconciliations below.
		Life Sciences and Applied Markets			Diagnostics and Genomics			Agilent CrossLab			Total
		(in millions)
	Three months ended April 30, 2015:
	Total net revenue	$	473		$	169		$	321		$	963
	Segment income from operations	$	75		$	25		$	69		$	169
	Three months ended April 30, 2014:
	Total net revenue	$	495		$	168		$	325		$	988
	Segment income from operations	$	71		$	26		$	70		$	167
		Life Sciences and Applied Markets			Diagnostics and Genomics			Agilent CrossLab			Total
		(in millions)
	Six months ended April 30, 2015:
	Total net revenue	$	1,020		$	317		$	652		$	1,989
	Segment income from operations	$	182		$	26		$	137		$	345
	Six months ended April 30, 2014:
	Total net revenue	$	1,032		$	325		$	639		$	1,996
	Segment income from operations	$	176		$	45		$	139		$	360
	The following table reconciles reportable segments’ income from operations to Agilent’s total enterprise income before taxes:
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		April 30,						April 30,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
		(in millions)
	Total reportable segments’ income from operations	$	169		$	167		$	345		$	360
	Acceleration of share-based compensation related to workforce reduction	(1		)	—			(2		)	—
	Transformational initiatives	(17		)	(8		)	(29		)	(11		)
	Amortization of intangibles	(38		)	(49		)	(81		)	(98		)
	Acquisition and integration costs	(1		)	(2		)	(2		)	(8		)
	Business exit and divestiture costs (primarily our NMR business)	(8		)	—			(11		)	—
	Pre-separation costs	—			(2		)	—			(4		)
	Other	3			(2		)	2			(1		)
	Interest income	2			2			4			4
	Interest expense	(17		)	(30		)	(33		)	(59		)
	Other income (expense), net	4			3			16			3
	Unallocated corporate charges	—			(10		)	—			(20		)
	Income from continuing operations before taxes, as reported	$	96		$	69		$	209		$	166
	The following table reflects segment assets under our management reporting system. Segment assets include allocations of corporate assets, including deferred tax assets, goodwill, other intangibles and other assets. Unallocated assets primarily consist of cash, cash equivalents, the valuation allowance relating to deferred tax assets and other assets. During the second quarter of 2015 we changed the segment asset allocation methodology to more closely represent the use of assets by each segment following a review of operational metrics. Accordingly the segment assets presented as of October 31, 2014 have been restated to follow the new methodology.
		Life Sciences and Applied Markets			Diagnostics and Genomics			Agilent CrossLab			Total
		(in millions)
	Assets:
	As of April 30, 2015	$	1,548		$	2,028		$	1,005		$	4,581
	As of October 31, 2014	$	1,663		$	2,302		$	1,001		$	4,966

SUBSEQUENT_EVENTS

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	18. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	On May 19, 2015 we announced that we have completed the acquisition of 100% of the shares of Cartagenia, a leading provider of software and services for clinical genetics and molecular pathology laboratories for €60 million. Cartagenia, provides software solutions for variant assessment and reporting of clinical genomics data from next-generation sequencing and microarrays. The Cartagenia Bench platform enables technicians, laboratory directors and clinicians to visualize, assess and report clinical genetics data in the context of patient information.
	On May 28, 2015 we announced that our board of directors had approved a new share repurchase program. The new share repurchase program authorizes the purchase of up to $1.14 billion of our common stock through and including November 1, 2018. The new program will commence, at the option of the company, on either November 1, 2015, or the date on which we complete the purchase of $365 million of common stock under the existing stock repurchase program in fiscal 2015. Upon commencement, the new program replaces our existing stock repurchase program, which authorized the repurchase of shares to reduce or eliminate share dilution from equity programs.

OVERVIEW_BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION1

OVERVIEW, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Overview, Segment Structure and Basis of Presentation	Overview. Agilent Technologies Inc. ("we", "Agilent" or the "company"), incorporated in Delaware in May 1999, is a global leader in life sciences, diagnostics and applied chemical markets, providing application focused solutions that includes instruments, software, services and consumables for the entire laboratory workflow.
	Our fiscal year-end is October 31, and our fiscal quarters end on January 31, April 30 and July 31. Unless otherwise stated, these dates refer to our fiscal year and fiscal quarters.
	Keysight Separation. On November 1, 2014, we completed the distribution of 100% of the outstanding common shares of Keysight Technologies, Inc. ("Keysight") to Agilent stockholders who received one share of Keysight common stock for every two shares of Agilent held as of the close of business on the record date, October 22, 2014. The historical results of operations and the financial position of Keysight are included in the consolidated financial statements of Agilent and are reported as discontinued operations within this Form 10-Q. See "Basis of Presentation".
	New Segment Structure. In November 2014, we announced a change in organizational structure designed to better serve our customers. Our life sciences business, excluding the nucleic acid solutions division, together with the chemical analysis business combined to form a new segment called life sciences and applied markets business. Our diagnostics and genomics businesses combined with the nucleic acid solutions division from our life sciences business and became the diagnostics and genomics segment. Finally, the Agilent CrossLab segment was formed from the services and consumables businesses previously part of the life sciences and chemicals analysis businesses. Financial reporting under this new structure is included within this report on Form 10-Q and historical financial segment information has been recast to conform to this new presentation within our financial statements.
	Basis of Presentation. We have prepared the accompanying financial data for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014 pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the U.S. have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The accompanying financial data and information should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
	In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements contain all normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014, condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss) for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014, condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014, and condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014.
	The prior year results of operations and the prior year end financial position of Keysight are included in the consolidated financial statements of Agilent and reported as discontinued operations. The prior year statement of comprehensive income and prior year statement of cash flows have not been adjusted to reflect the effect of the separation of Keysight. Unless indicated otherwise, the information in the Notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements relates to our continuing operations.
Use of Estimates	Use of estimates. The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions that may impact the company in the future, actual results may be different from the estimates. Our critical accounting policies are those that affect our financial statements materially and involve difficult, subjective or complex judgments by management. Those policies are revenue recognition, valuation of goodwill and purchased intangible assets, inventory valuation, share-based compensation, retirement and post-retirement plan assumptions, restructuring and accounting for income taxes.
Update to Share-based Compensation Policy	Update to Significant Accounting Policies. For the stock option and long term performance plan grants in 2015 we are now using a volatility measure derived from a selection of our peer companies.  In prior periods, we used Agilent stock historical volatility. We now consider this method to not be reflective of our future volatility due to the separation of Keysight. See Note 4, "Share-based compensation" for additional information. There have been no other material changes to our significant accounting policies, as compared to the significant accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments. The carrying values of certain of our financial instruments including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued compensation and other accrued liabilities approximate fair value because of their short maturities. The fair value of long-term equity investments is determined using quoted market prices for those securities when available. For those long-term equity investments accounted for under the cost or equity method, their carrying value approximates their estimated fair value. Equity method investments are reported at the amount of the company’s initial investment and adjusted each period for the company’s share of the investee’s income or loss and dividend paid. The fair value of our long-term debt, calculated from quoted prices which are primarily Level 1 inputs under the accounting guidance fair value hierarchy, exceeds the carrying value by approximately $72 million and $53 million as of April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014, respectively. The fair value of foreign currency contracts used for hedging purposes is estimated internally by using inputs tied to active markets. These inputs, for example, interest rate yield curves, foreign exchange rates, and forward and spot prices for currencies are observable in the market or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. See also Note 9, "Fair Value Measurements" for additional information on the fair value of financial instruments.
Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets. Under the authoritative guidance we have the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary. The accounting standard gives an entity the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether performing the two-step test is necessary. If an entity believes, as a result of its qualitative assessment, that it is more-likely-than-not (i.e. greater than 50% chance) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the quantitative impairment test will be required. Otherwise, no further testing will be required.
	The guidance includes examples of events and circumstances that might indicate that a reporting unit's fair value is less than its carrying amount. These include macro-economic conditions such as deterioration in the entity's operating environment or industry or market considerations; entity-specific events such as increasing costs, declining financial performance, or loss of key personnel; or other events such as an expectation that a reporting unit will be sold or a sustained decrease in the stock price on either an absolute basis or relative to peers.
	If it is determined, as a result of the qualitative assessment, that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the provisions of authoritative guidance require that we perform a two-step impairment test on goodwill. In the first step, we compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. The second step (if necessary) measures the amount of impairment by applying fair-value-based tests to the individual assets and liabilities within each reporting unit. As defined in the authoritative guidance, a reporting unit is an operating segment, or one level below an operating segment. We aggregate components of an operating segment that have similar economic characteristics into our reporting units.
	In fiscal year 2014, we assessed goodwill impairment for three reporting units under our previous reporting structure. The chemical analysis segment contained one reporting unit and there were two reporting units under the life sciences and diagnostics segment. Within the life sciences and diagnostic business the first reporting unit related to our life sciences business and the second related to our diagnostics business. We performed a qualitative test for goodwill impairment of our previous three reporting units as of September 30, 2014. Based on the results of our qualitative testing, we believe that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of these reporting units are greater than their respective carrying values. Each quarter we review the events and circumstances to determine if goodwill impairment is indicated. In connection with our goodwill impairment testing in 2015, we assess for potential impairment of goodwill within our three new reporting units resulting from our reorganization. In the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014, there was no triggering event that would indicate that there was an impairment of goodwill therefore there was no impairment of goodwill during the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014.
	Purchased intangible assets consist primarily of acquired developed technologies, proprietary know-how, trademarks, and customer relationships and are amortized using the best estimate of the asset's useful life that reflect the pattern in which the economic benefits are consumed or used up or a straight-line method ranging from 6 months to 15 years. In-process research and development ("IPR&D") is initially capitalized at fair value as an intangible asset with an indefinite life and assessed for impairment thereafter. When the IPR&D project is complete, it is reclassified as an amortizable purchased intangible asset and is amortized over its estimated useful life. If an IPR&D project is abandoned, Agilent will record a charge for the value of the related intangible asset to Agilent's condensed consolidated statement of operations in the period it is abandoned.
	Agilent's indefinite-lived intangible assets are IPR&D intangible assets. The accounting guidance allows a qualitative approach for testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment, similar to the issued impairment testing guidance for goodwill and allows the option to first assess qualitative factors (events and circumstances) that could have affected the significant inputs used in determining the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not (i.e. greater than 50% chance) that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. An organization may choose to bypass the qualitative assessment for any indefinite-lived intangible asset in any period and proceed directly to calculating its fair value. We performed a qualitative test for impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets as of September 30, 2014. Based on the results of our qualitative testing, we believe that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of these indefinite-lived intangible assets is greater than their respective carrying values. Each quarter we review the events and circumstances to determine if impairment of indefinite-lived intangible asset is indicated. There was no impairment of indefinite-lived intangible asset during the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014.

DISCONTINUED_OPERATIONS_Tables

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations
Schedule of income (loss) from discontinued operations	The following table summarizes results from discontinued operations of Keysight included in the condensed consolidated statement of operations:
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		April 30,					April 30,
		2015			2014		2015			2014
		(in millions)
	Net revenue	$	—		$	743	$	—		$	1,414
	Costs and expenses	5			627		37			1,204
	Operating income (loss)	(5		)	116		(37		)	210
	Other income (expense), net	—			1		—			1
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations before tax	(5		)	117		(37		)	211
	Provision (benefit) for income taxes	—			18		(2		)	38
	Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	$	(5	)	$	99	$	(35	)	$	173
Schedule of assets and liabilities of discontinued operations	The following table presents Agilent's electronic measurement business assets and liabilities removed from the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of November 1, 2014 and presented as discontinued operations as of October 31, 2014:
		October 31, 2014
		(in millions)
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	810
	Accounts receivable, net	357
	Inventory	498
	Other current assets	156
	Current assets of discontinued operations	1,821
	Property, plant and equipment, net	470
	Goodwill	392
	Other intangible assets, net	18
	Long-term investments	63
	Other assets	222
	Non-current assets of discontinued operations	1,165
	Total assets of discontinued operations	$	2,986
	Liabilities:
	Accounts payable	$	173
	Employee compensation and benefits	167
	Deferred revenue	175
	Other accrued liabilities	108
	Current liabilities of discontinued operations	623
	Long-term debt	1,099
	Retirement and post-retirement benefits	213
	Other long-term liabilities	122
	Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations	1,434
	Total liabilities of discontinued operations	$	2,057

SHAREBASED_COMPENSATION_Tables

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Allocated Share-based compensation expense disclosure	The impact on our results for share-based compensation was as follows:
		Three Months Ended							Six Months Ended
		April 30,							April 30,
		2015			2014				2015			2014
		(in millions)
	Cost of products and services	$	2		$	3			$	7		$	9
	Research and development	1			1				3			5
	Selling, general and administrative	9			9				24			23
	Share-based compensation expense in continuing operations	$	12		$	13			$	34		$	37
	Share-based compensation expense in discontinued operations	—			9				—			22
	Total share-based compensation expense	$	12		$	22			$	34		$	59
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award fair value assumptions and methodology schedule	The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the options and LTPP grants.
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		April 30,					April 30,
		2015		2014			2015			2014
	Stock Option Plans:
	Weighted average risk-free interest rate	1.5	%	—			1.7	%		1.7	%
	Dividend yield	1	%	—			1	%		1	%
	Weighted average volatility	29	%	—			28	%		39	%
	Expected life	5.5 yrs		—			5.5 yrs			5.8 yrs
	LTPP:
	Volatility of Agilent shares	25	%	36	%		25	%		36	%
	Volatility of selected peer-company shares	12%-57%		13%-57%			12%-57%			13%-57%
	Price-wise correlation with selected peers	37	%	47	%		37	%		47	%

NET_INCOME_PER_SHARE_Tables

NET INCOME PER SHARE (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted net income per share	The following is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted net income per share computations for the periods presented below:
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		April 30,					April 30,
		2015			2014		2015			2014
		(in millions)
	Numerator:
	Income from continuing operations	$	88		$	40	$	190		$	161
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(5		)	99		(35		)	173
	Net income	$	83		$	139	$	155		$	334
	Denominator:
	Basic weighted-average shares	334			333		335			333
	Potential common shares— stock options and other employee stock plans	3			4		2			5
	Diluted weighted-average shares	337			337		337			338

INVENTORY_Tables

INVENTORY (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
INVENTORY	7. INVENTORY
		April 30,		October 31,
		2015		2014
		(in millions)
	Finished goods	$	367	$	366
	Purchased parts and fabricated assemblies	189		208
	Inventory	$	556	$	574

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_1

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill balances and movements for each reportable segments during the period	The following table presents goodwill balances and the movements for each of our reportable segments during the six months ended April 30, 2015:
		Life Sciences and Applied Markets			Diagnostics and Genomics			Agilent CrossLab			Total
		(in millions)
	Goodwill as of October 31, 2014	$	668		$	1,345		$	494		$	2,507
	Foreign currency translation impact	(10		)	(149		)	(7		)	(166		)
	Goodwill as of April 30, 2015	$	658		$	1,196		$	487		$	2,341
Components of other intangibles during the period
	The components of other intangibles as of April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014 are shown in the table below:
		Purchased Other Intangible Assets
		Gross			Accumulated			Net Book
		Carrying			Amortization			Value
		Amount			and
					Impairments
		(in millions)
	As of October 31, 2014:
	Purchased technology	$	880		$	475		$	405
	Trademark/Tradename	167			52			115
	Customer relationships	368			257			111
	Total amortizable intangible assets	1,415			784			631
	In-Process R&D	18			—			18
	Total	$	1,433		$	784		$	649
	As of April 30, 2015:
	Purchased technology	845			527			318
	Trademark/Tradename	156			58			98
	Customer relationships	361			280			81
	Total amortizable intangible assets	1,362			865			497
	In-Process R&D	19			—			19
	Total	$	1,381		$	865		$	516

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Tables

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis	Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of April 30, 2015 were as follows:
				Fair Value Measurement at April 30, 2015 Using
		April 30,		Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant
		2015		in Active		Other		Unobservable
				Markets for		Observable		Inputs
				Identical Assets		Inputs		(Level 3)
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)
		(in millions)
	Assets:
	Short-term
	Cash equivalents (money market funds)	$	1,553	$	1,553	$	—	$	—
	Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	16		—		16		—
	Long-term
	Trading securities	35		35		—		—
	Total assets measured at fair value	$	1,604	$	1,588	$	16	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Short-term
	Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	$	9	$	—	$	9	$	—
	Long-term
	Deferred compensation liability	35		—		35		—
	Total liabilities measured at fair value	$	44	$	—	$	44	$	—
	Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of October 31, 2014 were as follows:
				Fair Value Measurement at October 31, 2014 Using
		October 31,		Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant
		2014		in Active		Other		Unobservable
				Markets for		Observable		Inputs
				Identical Assets		Inputs		(Level 3)
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)
		(in millions)
	Assets:
	Short-term
	Cash equivalents (money market funds)	$	1,117	$	1,117	$	—	$	—
	Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	10		—		10		—
	Long-term
	Trading securities	35		35		—		—
	Total assets measured at fair value	$	1,162	$	1,152	$	10	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Short-term
	Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	$	4	$	—	$	4	$	—
	Long-term
	Deferred compensation liability	35		—		35		—
	Total liabilities measured at fair value	$	39	$	—	$	39	$	—

DERIVATIVES_Tables

DERIVATIVES (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Aggregated notional amounts by currency and designation	The aggregated notional amounts by currency and designation as of April 30, 2015 were as follows:
			Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow				Derivatives
			Hedges				Not
							Designated
							as Hedging
							Instruments
			Forward				Forward				Forward
			Contracts USD				Contracts USD				Contracts DKK
	Currency		Buy/(Sell)				Buy/(Sell)				Buy/(Sell)
			(in millions)
	Euro		$	(49	)		$	124			$	(58	)
	British Pound		(39		)		(2		)		(5		)
	Canadian Dollar		(31		)		—				(2		)
	Australian Dollar		1				16				(2		)
	Malaysian Ringgit		—				(1		)		—
	Japanese Yen		(66		)		(10		)		(1		)
	American Dollar		—				—				37
	Other		(1		)		3				—
	Totals		$	(185	)		$	130			$	(31	)
Gross fair values and balance sheet location of derivative instruments held in the consolidated balance sheet	Derivative instruments are subject to master netting arrangements and are disclosed gross in the balance sheet in accordance with the authoritative guidance. The gross fair values and balance sheet location of derivative instruments held in the consolidated balance sheet as of April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014 were as follows:
	Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
	Asset Derivatives										Liability Derivatives
			Fair Value										Fair Value
	Balance Sheet Location		April 30,				October 31,				Balance Sheet Location		April 30,				October 31,
			2015				2014						2015				2014
	(in millions)
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Cash flow hedges
	Foreign exchange contracts
	Other current assets		$	7			$	9			Other accrued liabilities		$	2			$	1
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange contracts
	Other current assets		$	9			$	1			Other accrued liabilities		$	7			$	3
	Total derivatives		$	16			$	10					$	9			$	4
Effect of derivative instruments for foreign exchange contracts in the consolidated statement of operations	The effect of derivative instruments for foreign exchange contracts designated as hedging instruments and not designated as hedging instruments in our consolidated statement of operations were as follows:
		Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
		April 30,								April 30,
		2015				2014				2015				2014
		(in millions)
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Cash Flow Hedges
	Foreign exchange contracts:
	Gain (loss) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(2	)		$	1			$	8			$	(2	)
	Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into cost of sales	$	7			$	—			$	11			$	(1	)
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Gain (loss) recognized in other income (expense)	$	(4	)		$	5			$	(17	)		$	4

EXIT_OF_NMR_BUSINESS_Tables

EXIT OF NMR BUSINESS (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Exit of NMR Business	A summary of total “NMR” restructuring activity and other special charges is shown in the table below:
		Workforce			Special Charges Related to Inventory and Others			Total
		Reduction
		(in millions)
	Balance as of October 31, 2014	$	14		$	3		$	17
	Income statement expense	2			7			9
	Inventory charges and other	—			(5		)	(5		)
	Cash payments	(7		)	—			(7		)
	Balance as of April 30, 2015	$	9		$	5		$	14

RETIREMENT_PLANS_AND_POST_RETI1

RETIREMENT PLANS AND POST RETIREMENT PENSION PLANS (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets and benefit obligation transferred to Keysight	In connection with the separation of Keysight on November 1, 2014, Agilent transferred certain liabilities and assets of the U.S. and Non-U.S. defined benefit pension plans, and U.S. Post-Retirement Benefit Plans to similar plans created for Keysight employees as follows:
		U.S. Defined			Non-U.S. Defined			U.S. Post-Retirement
		Benefit Plans			Benefit Plans			Benefit Plans
		(in millions)
	Fair value of plan assets transferred to Keysight	$	491		$	1,318		$	187
	Benefit obligation transferred to Keysight	$	514		$	1,429		$	206
Schedule of net pension and post-retirement benefit costs	Components of net periodic costs. For the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014, our net pension and post retirement benefit costs were comprised of the following:
		Pensions
		U.S. Plans						Non-U.S.						U.S. Post Retirement
								Plans						Benefit Plans
		Three Months Ended April 30,
		2015			2014			2015			2014			2015			2014
		(in millions)
	Service cost—benefits earned during the period	$	6		$	12		$	4		$	9		$	1		$	1
	Interest cost on benefit obligation	3			8			6			19			1			3
	Expected return on plan assets	(7		)	(16		)	(10		)	(29		)	(2		)	(6		)
	Amortization:
	Actuarial losses	1			—			6			11			1			4
	Prior service cost	(1		)	(3		)	—			—			(3		)	(9		)
	Total net plan costs	$	2		$	1		$	6		$	10		$	(2	)	$	(7	)
	Summary of net plan costs:
	Continuing operations	2			—			6			7			(2		)	(4		)
	Discontinued operations	—			1			—			3			—			(3		)
	Total net plan costs	$	2		$	1		$	6		$	10		$	(2	)	$	(7	)
		Pensions
		U.S. Plans						Non-U.S.						U.S. Post Retirement
								Plans						Benefit Plans
		Six Months Ended April 30,
		2015			2014			2015			2014			2015			2014
		(in millions)
	Service cost—benefits earned during the period	$	12		$	24		$	8		$	18		$	2		$	2
	Interest cost on benefit obligation	7			16			12			37			2			6
	Expected return on plan assets	(14		)	(32		)	(21		)	(58		)	(4		)	(11		)
	Amortization:
	Actuarial losses	2			—			13			22			2			7
	Prior service cost	(2		)	(6		)	—			—			(6		)	(18		)
	Total net plan costs	$	5		$	2		$	12		$	19		$	(4	)	$	(14	)
	Summary of net plan costs:
	Continuing operations	5			—			12			13			(4		)	(8		)
	Discontinued operations	—			2			—			6			—			(6		)
	Total net plan costs	$	5		$	2		$	12		$	19		$	(4	)	$	(14	)

WARRANTIES_AND_CONTINGENCIES_T

WARRANTIES AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Standard warranty	A summary of the standard warranty accrual activity is shown in the table below:
		Six Months Ended
		April 30,
		2015			2014
		(in millions)
	Beginning balance as of November 1	$	30		$	31
	Accruals for warranties including change in estimate	22			20
	Settlements made during the period	(24		)	(23		)
	Ending balance as of April 30	$	28		$	28
	Accruals for warranties due within one year	$	26		$	25
	Accruals for warranties due after one year	2			3
	Ending balance as of April 30	$	28		$	28

LONGTERM_DEBT_Tables

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Interest Rate Swaps pertaining to Senior Notes offered	The following table summarizes the company’s long-term senior notes and the related interest rate swaps:
		April 30, 2015						October 31, 2014
		Amortized Principal		Swap		Total		Amortized		Swap		Total
								Principal
		(in millions)
	2017 Senior Notes	$	100	$	2	$	102	$	100	$	3	$	103
	2020 Senior Notes	499		20		519		499		22		521
	2022 Senior Notes	399		—		399		399		—		399
	2023 Senior Notes	598		—		598		598		—		598
	Total	$	1,596	$	22	$	1,618	$	1,596	$	25	$	1,621

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY_Tables

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component and related tax effects were as follows (in millions):
								Net defined benefit pension cost and post retirement plan costs
	Three Months Ended April 30, 2015	Unrealized gain on investments			Foreign currency translation			Prior service credits			Actuarial Losses			Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives			Total
		(in millions)
	As of January 31, 2015	$	—		$	(118	)	$	170		$	(323	)	$	10		$	(261	)
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	—			(7		)	—			—			(2		)	(9		)
	Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	—			—			(4		)	8			(7		)	(3		)
	Tax (expense) benefit	—			1			1			(2		)	3			3
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	—			(6		)	(3		)	6			(6		)	(9		)
	As of April 30, 2015	$	—		$	(124	)	$	167		$	(317	)	$	4		$	(270	)
	Six Months Ended April 30, 2015
	As of October 31, 2014	$	17		$	156		$	255		$	(771	)	$	9		$	(334	)
	Transfer to Keysight	(17		)	(9		)	(83		)	444			(3		)	332
	Balance after transfer to Keysight	—			147			172			(327		)	6			(2		)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	—			(278		)	—			(3		)	8			(273		)
	Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	—			—			(8		)	17			(11		)	(2		)
	Tax (expense) benefit	—			7			3			(4		)	1			7
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	—			(271		)	(5		)	10			(2		)	(268		)
	As of April 30, 2015	$	—		$	(124	)	$	167		$	(317	)	$	4		$	(270	)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in millions):
	Details about accumulated other	Amounts Reclassified												Affected line item in
	comprehensive income (loss) components	from other comprehensive income (loss)												statement of operations
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		April 30,						April 30,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Unrealized gains and (losses) on derivatives	$	7		$	—		$	11		$	(1	)	Cost of products
		7			—			11			(1		)	Total before income tax
		(2		)	—			(3		)	1			(Provision)/benefit for income tax
		5			—			8			—			Total net of income tax
	Net defined benefit pension cost and post retirement plan costs:
	Actuarial net loss	(8		)	(14		)	(17		)	(31		)
	Prior service benefit	4			12			8			24
		(4		)	(2		)	(9		)	(7		)	Total before income tax
		1			—			1			—			Benefit for income tax
		(3		)	(2		)	(8		)	(7		)	Total net of income tax
	Total reclassifications for the period	$	2		$	(2	)	$	—		$	(7	)

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Tables

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Profitability and Segment Assets	The profitability of each of the segments is measured after excluding restructuring and asset impairment charges, investment gains and losses, interest income, interest expense, acquisition and integration costs, non-cash amortization and other items as noted in the reconciliations below.
		Life Sciences and Applied Markets			Diagnostics and Genomics			Agilent CrossLab			Total
		(in millions)
	Three months ended April 30, 2015:
	Total net revenue	$	473		$	169		$	321		$	963
	Segment income from operations	$	75		$	25		$	69		$	169
	Three months ended April 30, 2014:
	Total net revenue	$	495		$	168		$	325		$	988
	Segment income from operations	$	71		$	26		$	70		$	167
		Life Sciences and Applied Markets			Diagnostics and Genomics			Agilent CrossLab			Total
		(in millions)
	Six months ended April 30, 2015:
	Total net revenue	$	1,020		$	317		$	652		$	1,989
	Segment income from operations	$	182		$	26		$	137		$	345
	Six months ended April 30, 2014:
	Total net revenue	$	1,032		$	325		$	639		$	1,996
	Segment income from operations	$	176		$	45		$	139		$	360
	The following table reflects segment assets under our management reporting system. Segment assets include allocations of corporate assets, including deferred tax assets, goodwill, other intangibles and other assets. Unallocated assets primarily consist of cash, cash equivalents, the valuation allowance relating to deferred tax assets and other assets. During the second quarter of 2015 we changed the segment asset allocation methodology to more closely represent the use of assets by each segment following a review of operational metrics. Accordingly the segment assets presented as of October 31, 2014 have been restated to follow the new methodology.
		Life Sciences and Applied Markets			Diagnostics and Genomics			Agilent CrossLab			Total
		(in millions)
	Assets:
	As of April 30, 2015	$	1,548		$	2,028		$	1,005		$	4,581
	As of October 31, 2014	$	1,663		$	2,302		$	1,001		$	4,966
Reconciliation of segment results to total enterprise results	The following table reconciles reportable segments’ income from operations to Agilent’s total enterprise income before taxes:
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		April 30,						April 30,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
		(in millions)
	Total reportable segments’ income from operations	$	169		$	167		$	345		$	360
	Acceleration of share-based compensation related to workforce reduction	(1		)	—			(2		)	—
	Transformational initiatives	(17		)	(8		)	(29		)	(11		)
	Amortization of intangibles	(38		)	(49		)	(81		)	(98		)
	Acquisition and integration costs	(1		)	(2		)	(2		)	(8		)
	Business exit and divestiture costs (primarily our NMR business)	(8		)	—			(11		)	—
	Pre-separation costs	—			(2		)	—			(4		)
	Other	3			(2		)	2			(1		)
	Interest income	2			2			4			4
	Interest expense	(17		)	(30		)	(33		)	(59		)
	Other income (expense), net	4			3			16			3
	Unallocated corporate charges	—			(10		)	—			(20		)
	Income from continuing operations before taxes, as reported	$	96		$	69		$	209		$	166

OVERVIEW_BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION2

OVERVIEW, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
			Y
			M
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Fair value of long term debt in excess of carrying value	$72		$72		$53
Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets
Purchased intangible assets useful life range minimum (in months)			6
Purchased intangible assets useful life range maximum (in years)			15
Impairment of goodwill	0	0	0	0
Impairment of intangible assets (IPR&D)	$0	$0	$0	$0

DISCONTINUED_OPERATIONS_Statem

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS - Statement of Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations
Net revenue	$0	$743	$0	$1,414
Costs and expenses	5	627	37	1,204
Operating income (loss)	-5	116	-37	210
Other income (expense),net	0	1	0	1
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before tax	-5	117	-37	211
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	0	18	-2	38
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	($5)	$99	($35)	$173

DISCONTINUED_OPERATIONS_Assets

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS - Assets and Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 30, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$810
Accounts receivable, net		357
Inventory		498
Other current assets		156
Current assets of discontinued operations	0	1,821
Property, plant and equipment, net		470
Goodwill		392
Other intangibles, net		18
Long-term investments		63
Other assets		222
Non-current assets of discontinued operations	0	1,165
Total assets of discontinued operations		2,986
Liabilities
Accounts payable		173
Employee compensation and benefits		167
Deferred revenue		175
Other accrued liabilities		108
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	0	623
Long-term debt		1,099
Retirement and post-retirement benefits		213
Other long-term liabilities		122
Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations	0	1,434
Total liabilities of discontinued operations		$2,057

DISCONTINUED_OPERATIONS_Textua

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS - Textuals (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Nov. 01, 2014
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations
Separation transaction costs	$5	$39	$37	$57
Transferred to Keysight
Cash per separation agreement					700
Accumulated other comprehensive loss transferred to discontinued operations					332
Additional paid in capital transferred to discontinued operations					28
Transition Service Agreement
Future transition service income			12
Future yearly lease income			13
Transition service and lease income	$7		$18

SHAREBASED_COMPENSATION_Alloca

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION Allocated Share-based compensation expense (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Windfall tax benefit realized	$0	$0	$0	$3
Share-based compensation capitalized within inventory	0		0		0
Share-based Compensation, Allocation and Classification in Financial Statements
Share-based compensation expense	12	22	34	59
Cost of Products and Services
Share-based Compensation, Allocation and Classification in Financial Statements
Share-based compensation expense	2	3	7	9
Research and Development Expense
Share-based Compensation, Allocation and Classification in Financial Statements
Share-based compensation expense	1	1	3	5
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Share-based Compensation, Allocation and Classification in Financial Statements
Share-based compensation expense	9	9	24	23
Continuing Operations
Share-based Compensation, Allocation and Classification in Financial Statements
Share-based compensation expense	12	13	34	37
Discontinued Operations
Share-based Compensation, Allocation and Classification in Financial Statements
Share-based compensation expense	$0	$9	$0	$22

SHAREBASED_COMPENSATION_Fair_V

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION Fair Value Assumptions (Details)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
ESPP plan purchase price (in hundredths)	85.00%	85.00%	85.00%	85.00%
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Number of years of peer groups historical stock price volatility used to determine volatility			5.5
Weighted average risk-free interest rate (in hundredths)	1.50%	0.00%	1.70%	1.70%
Dividend yield	1.00%	0.00%	1.00%	1.00%
Weighted average volatility (in hundredths)	29.00%	0.00%	28.00%	39.00%
Expected life (in years)	5 years 6 months		5 years 6 months	5 years 9 months
LTPP
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Number of years of peer groups historical stock price volatility used to determine volatility			3
Volatility of Agilent shares (in hundredths)	25.00%	36.00%	25.00%	36.00%
Volatility of selected peer-company shares minimum (in hundredths)	12.00%	13.00%	12.00%	13.00%
Volatility of selected peer-company shares maximum (in hundredths)	57.00%	57.00%	57.00%	57.00%
Price-wise correlation with selected peers (in hundredths)	37.00%	47.00%	37.00%	47.00%

INCOME_TAXES_Details

INCOME TAXES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Nov. 01, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective Income Tax Rate, Percent	8.30%	42.00%	9.10%	3.00%
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$8	$29	$19	$5
Income Tax Disclosure
Net Discrete Tax Benefit	9		21	31
Net Discrete Tax expense		13
Income tax research and development credit extension			6
Out of period adjustment to tax benefit			13
Out of period adjustment to tax expense	4	12		4
Other Tax Expense (Benefit)	3		3
Keysight Spin-off
Income Tax Disclosure
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross					238
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross					37
Total income tax payable, net of income tax receivable					40
Liability for Uncertain Tax Positions, Noncurrent					8
Prepaid Taxes					19
Prepaid Taxes Non current					3
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Income Tax Disclosure
Net Discrete Tax Benefit				50
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions		111
Tax liability on foreign earnings distributions		61
Unrecognized tax benefits, decrease resulting from error in adoption of Fin 48		65
Foreign Tax Authority
Income Tax Disclosure
Net Discrete Tax Benefit	$16

NET_INCOME_PER_SHARE_Details

NET INCOME PER SHARE (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Numerator:
Income from continuing operations	$88	$40	$190	$161
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	-5	99	-35	173
Net income	$83	$139	$155	$334
Denominators:
Basic weighted-average shares (in shares)	334,000,000	333,000,000	335,000,000	333,000,000
Potentially dilutive common shares equivalents - stock options and other employee stock plans (in shares)	3,000,000	4,000,000	2,000,000	5,000,000
Diluted weighted average shares (in shares)	337,000,000	337,000,000	337,000,000	338,000,000
Options with exercise price greater than average market price
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from EPS Computation
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	66,200	0	672,500	0
Stock Options, LTPP and restricted stock combined exercise price, unamortized fair value, excess tax benefits or shortfalls greater than average market price
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from EPS Computation
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	1,400,000	1,300,000	690,200	657,400

INVENTORY_Details

INVENTORY (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 30, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Finished goods	$367	$366
Purchased parts and fabricated assemblies	189	208
Inventory	$556	$574

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_2

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS Goodwill Roll forward (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015
Goodwill Roll Forward
Goodwill beginning balance	$2,507
Foreign currency translation impact	-166
Goodwill ending balance	2,341
Life Sciences and Applied Markets
Goodwill Roll Forward
Goodwill beginning balance	668
Foreign currency translation impact	-10
Goodwill ending balance	658
Diagnostics and Genomics
Goodwill Roll Forward
Goodwill beginning balance	1,345
Foreign currency translation impact	-149
Goodwill ending balance	1,196
Agilent CrossLab
Goodwill Roll Forward
Goodwill beginning balance	494
Foreign currency translation impact	-7
Goodwill ending balance	$487

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_3

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS Disclosures and Components of Purchased Other Intangibles (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 30, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net
Gross Carrying Amount	$1,381	$1,433
Accumulated Amortization and Impairments	865	784
Net Book Value	516	649
Purchased Technology
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net
Gross Carrying Amount	845	880
Accumulated Amortization and Impairments	527	475
Net Book Value	318	405
Trademark/Tradenames
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net
Gross Carrying Amount	156	167
Accumulated Amortization and Impairments	58	52
Net Book Value	98	115
Customer Relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net
Gross Carrying Amount	361	368
Accumulated Amortization and Impairments	280	257
Net Book Value	81	111
In-Process R&D
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)
In-Process R&D	19	18
Total amortizable intangible assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net
Gross Carrying Amount	1,362	1,415
Accumulated Amortization and Impairments	865	784
Net Book Value	$497	$631

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_4

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS Textuals (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Additions to goodwill			$0	$0
Additions to other intangibles			0	0
Foreign exchange translation impact			52
Amortization of intangible assets during the period	$38	$49	$81	$98

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_5

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS Finite-Lived Assets Future Amortization Expense (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 30, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Future amortization expense for remainder of 2015	$75
Future amortization expense for 2016	132
Future amortization expense for 2017	92
Future amortization expense for 2018	61
Future amortization expense for 2019	46
Future amortization expense for 2020	36
Future amortization thereafter	$55

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Fair_v

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Impairment of long-lived assets held for sale	$0	$0	$0	$0
Impairment long-lived assets held and used	0	0	0	0
Impairment of Investments
Impairment of Investments	0	0	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Assets Short - term
Cash equivalents (money market funds)	1,553		1,553		1,117
Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	16		16		10
Assets, Long-term
Trading securities	35		35		35
Total assets measured at fair value	1,604		1,604		1,162
Liabilities, Short-term
Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	9		9		4
Liabilities Long-term
Deferred compensation liability	35		35		35
Total liabilities measured at fair value	44		44		39
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Assets Short - term
Cash equivalents (money market funds)	1,553		1,553		1,117
Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	0		0		0
Assets, Long-term
Trading securities	35		35		35
Total assets measured at fair value	1,588		1,588		1,152
Liabilities, Short-term
Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	0		0		0
Liabilities Long-term
Deferred compensation liability	0		0		0
Total liabilities measured at fair value	0		0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Assets Short - term
Cash equivalents (money market funds)	0		0		0
Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	16		16		10
Assets, Long-term
Trading securities	0		0		0
Total assets measured at fair value	16		16		10
Liabilities, Short-term
Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	9		9		4
Liabilities Long-term
Deferred compensation liability	35		35		35
Total liabilities measured at fair value	44		44		39
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets Short - term
Cash equivalents (money market funds)	0		0		0
Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	0		0		0
Assets, Long-term
Trading securities	0		0		0
Total assets measured at fair value	0		0		0
Liabilities, Short-term
Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	0		0		0
Liabilities Long-term
Deferred compensation liability	0		0		0
Total liabilities measured at fair value	$0		$0		$0

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Fair_v1

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, Fair value measures and impairment of long-lived assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Long-Lived Assets
Impairment long-lived assets held and used	$0	$0	$0	$0
Impairment of long-lived assets held for sale	$0	$0	$0	$0

DERIVATIVES_Details

DERIVATIVES (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 20, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Sep. 10, 2012	Aug. 09, 2011	Nov. 25, 2008	Jul. 01, 2012
		contracts		contracts	contracts
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure
Amount to be amortized on terminated cash flow hedge			$3
Aggregate Fair Value of all Derivative Instruments with Credit-Risk-Related Contingent Features that were in a Net Liability Position		4
Derivative Contracts
Foreign exchange forward contracts designated as cash flow hedge (in units)		58
Foreign exchange forward contracts not designated as hedges (in units)		154
Senior Notes 2020
Terminated Interest Rate Swaps
Number of Interest Rate Swap Contracts Designated as Fair Value Hedges Terminated (in units)				5
Notional Amount of Terminated Interest Rate Swaps				500
Amount to be amortized on terminated interest rates swaps		20
Senior Notes 2017
Terminated Interest Rate Swaps
Number of Interest Rate Swap Contracts Designated as Fair Value Hedges Terminated (in units)					2
Notional Amount of Terminated Interest Rate Swaps					400
Amount to be amortized on terminated interest rates swaps		2
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	600	100
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	500
Treasury Lock | Cash Flow Hedging
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure
Notional Amount of Interest Rate Swap Contract Designated as Cash Flow Hedges						$400

DERIVATIVES_Disclosures_and_de

DERIVATIVES, Disclosures and derivative instrument aggregated notional amounts by currency and designations (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 30, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Sell | Forward Contracts DKK | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Derivative
Total notional amount	$31
Sell | Cash Flow Hedging | Forward Contracts USD
Derivative
Total notional amount	185
Sell | Euro | Forward Contracts DKK | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Derivative
Total notional amount	58
Sell | Euro | Cash Flow Hedging | Forward Contracts USD
Derivative
Total notional amount	49
Sell | British Pound | Forward Contracts USD | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Derivative
Total notional amount	2
Sell | British Pound | Forward Contracts DKK | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Derivative
Total notional amount	5
Sell | British Pound | Cash Flow Hedging | Forward Contracts USD
Derivative
Total notional amount	39
Sell | Canadian Dollar | Forward Contracts DKK | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Derivative
Total notional amount	2
Sell | Canadian Dollar | Cash Flow Hedging | Forward Contracts USD
Derivative
Total notional amount	31
Sell | Australian Dollars | Forward Contracts DKK | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Derivative
Total notional amount	2
Sell | Malaysian Ringgit | Forward Contracts USD | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Derivative
Total notional amount	1
Sell | Japanese Yen | Forward Contracts USD | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Derivative
Total notional amount	10
Sell | Japanese Yen | Forward Contracts DKK | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Derivative
Total notional amount	1
Sell | Japanese Yen | Cash Flow Hedging | Forward Contracts USD
Derivative
Total notional amount	66
Sell | Other | Cash Flow Hedging | Forward Contracts USD
Derivative
Total notional amount	1
Buy | Forward Contracts USD | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Derivative
Total notional amount	130
Buy | Euro | Forward Contracts USD | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Derivative
Total notional amount	124
Buy | Australian Dollars | Forward Contracts USD | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Derivative
Total notional amount	16
Buy | Australian Dollars | Cash Flow Hedging | Forward Contracts USD
Derivative
Total notional amount	1
Buy | United States of America, Dollars | Forward Contracts DKK | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Derivative
Total notional amount	37
Buy | Other | Forward Contracts USD | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Derivative
Total notional amount	$3

DERIVATIVES_Fair_value_of_deri

DERIVATIVES, Fair value of derivative instruments and Consolidated Balance Sheet location (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 30, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivative Fair Value by Balance Sheet Location
Total derivatives Asset	$16	$10
Total derivatives Liabilities	9	4
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments | Cash Flow Hedging | Foreign Exchange Contracts | Other Current Assets
Derivative Fair Value by Balance Sheet Location
Total derivatives Asset	7	9
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments | Cash Flow Hedging | Foreign Exchange Contracts | Other Accrued Liabilities
Derivative Fair Value by Balance Sheet Location
Total derivatives Liabilities	2	1
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | Foreign Exchange Contracts | Other Current Assets
Derivative Fair Value by Balance Sheet Location
Total derivatives Asset	9	1
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | Foreign Exchange Contracts | Other Accrued Liabilities
Derivative Fair Value by Balance Sheet Location
Total derivatives Liabilities	$7	$3

DERIVATIVES_Effect_of_derivati

DERIVATIVES, Effect of derivative instruments on Consolidated Statement of Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Cash Flow Hedging | Cost of Sales
Derivative
Cash Flow Hedge Net Gain to be Reclassified within Twelve Months	$5
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cash Flow Hedging | Foreign Exchange Contracts | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Derivative
Gain (loss) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-2	1	8	-2
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cash Flow Hedging | Foreign Exchange Contracts | Cost of Sales
Derivative
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into cost of sales	7	0	11	-1
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | Other income (expense)
Derivative
Gain (loss) recognized in other income (expense)	($4)	$5	($17)	$4

EXIT_OF_NMR_BUSINESS_Details

EXIT OF NMR BUSINESS (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Expected number of positions to be eliminated	300
Number of Employees Pending Termination	180
Restructuring Reserve
Beginning balance	$17
Income statement expense	9
Inventory charges and other	-5
Cash payments	-7
Ending balance	14
Workforce Reduction
Restructuring Reserve
Beginning balance	14
Income statement expense	2
Inventory charges and other	0
Cash payments	-7
Ending balance	9
Special charges related to inventory and others
Restructuring Reserve
Beginning balance	3
Income statement expense	7
Inventory charges and other	-5
Cash payments	0
Ending balance	$5

RETIREMENT_PLANS_AND_POST_RETI2

RETIREMENT PLANS AND POST RETIREMENT PENSION PLANS- Components of net periodic costs (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Pensions (U.S. Plans)
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	$6	$12	$12	$24
Interest cost on benefit obligation	3	8	7	16
Expected return on plan assets	-7	-16	-14	-32
Amortization:
Actuarial losses	1	0	2	0
Prior service cost	-1	-3	-2	-6
Total net plan costs	2	1	5	2
Pensions (Non-U.S. Plans)
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	4	9	8	18
Interest cost on benefit obligation	6	19	12	37
Expected return on plan assets	-10	-29	-21	-58
Amortization:
Actuarial losses	6	11	13	22
Prior service cost	0	0	0	0
Total net plan costs	6	10	12	19
United States Post-retirement Benefit Plan
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Service cost - benefits earned during the period	1	1	2	2
Interest cost on benefit obligation	1	3	2	6
Expected return on plan assets	-2	-6	-4	-11
Amortization:
Actuarial losses	1	4	2	7
Prior service cost	-3	-9	-6	-18
Total net plan costs	-2	-7	-4	-14
Continuing Operations | Pensions (U.S. Plans)
Amortization:
Total net plan costs	2	0	5	0
Continuing Operations | Pensions (Non-U.S. Plans)
Amortization:
Total net plan costs	6	7	12	13
Continuing Operations | United States Post-retirement Benefit Plan
Amortization:
Total net plan costs	-2	-4	-4	-8
Discontinued Operations | Pensions (U.S. Plans)
Amortization:
Total net plan costs	0	1	0	2
Discontinued Operations | Pensions (Non-U.S. Plans)
Amortization:
Total net plan costs	0	3	0	6
Discontinued Operations | United States Post-retirement Benefit Plan
Amortization:
Total net plan costs	$0	($3)	$0	($6)

RETIREMENT_PLANS_AND_POST_RETI3

RETIREMENT PLANS AND POST RETIREMENT - Transferred to Keysight Technologies, Inc. (Details) (Keysight Technologies, Inc., USD $)	Nov. 01, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
United States defined benefit plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Fair value of plan assets transferred to Keysight	$491
Benefit obligation transferred to Keysight	514
Non-United States defined benefit plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Fair value of plan assets transferred to Keysight	1,318
Benefit obligation transferred to Keysight	1,429
United States post-retirement benefit plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Fair value of plan assets transferred to Keysight	187
Benefit obligation transferred to Keysight	$206

RETIREMENT_PLANS_AND_POST_RETI4

RETIREMENT PLANS AND POST RETIREMENT PENSION PLANS (Details) (Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Pensions (U.S. Plans)
Defined Benefit Plans Contributions
Contributions to defined benefit plans	$15	$15	$15	$15
Estimated future employer contributions in remainder of current fiscal year	0
Pensions (Non-U.S. Plans)
Defined Benefit Plans Contributions
Contributions to defined benefit plans	6	8	11	15
Estimated future employer contributions in remainder of current fiscal year	$15
Employees hired before November 1, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Maximum employer match in the Agilent 401(k) plan			4.00%
Employees hired on or after November 1, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Maximum employer match in the Agilent 401(k) plan			6.00%

WARRANTIES_AND_CONTINGENCIES_D

WARRANTIES AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual
Beginning balance at beginning of period	$30	$31
Accruals for warranties including change in estimate	22	20
Settlements made during the period	-24	-23
Ending balance at end of period	28	28
Standard Product Warranty Disclosure
Accruals for warranties due within one year	26	25
Accruals for warranties due after one year	2	3
Ending balance at end of period	$28	$28

SHORTTERM_DEBT_Credit_Facility

SHORT-TERM DEBT Credit Facility (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015
Line of Credit
Line of Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility, Initiation Date	15-Sep-14
Short-term Debt, Terms (in years)	five
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$400
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date	15-Sep-19
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	0
Dako
Line of Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	8
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	$0

LONGTERM_DEBT_Details

LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 30, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument
Amortized Principal	$1,596	$1,596
Interest Rate Swap	22	25
Carrying Value of Senior Notes	1,618	1,621
Senior Notes 2017
Debt Instrument
Long-term Debt	100	100
Interest Rate Swap	2	3
Carrying Value of Senior Notes	102	103
Senior Notes 2020
Debt Instrument
Long-term Debt	499	499
Interest Rate Swap	20	22
Carrying Value of Senior Notes	519	521
Senior Notes 2022
Debt Instrument
Long-term Debt	399	399
Interest Rate Swap	0	0
Carrying Value of Senior Notes	399	399
Senior Notes 2023
Debt Instrument
Long-term Debt	598	598
Interest Rate Swap	0	0
Carrying Value of Senior Notes	$598	$598

LONGTERM_DEBT_LongTerm_Debt_Ot

LONG-TERM DEBT Long-Term Debt - Other Debt (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 30, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Other Long-term Debt
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate	$38	$42

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY_Stock_Repu

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Stock Repurchase Program (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Nov. 22, 2013	14-May-13	28-May-15
Share repurchase program
Cost to repurchases shares of common stock under share repurchase program	$168,000,000	$150,000,000
Number of shares repurchased (in shares)	4	3
2014 Share Repurchase Program
Share repurchase program
Authorized amount				1,000,000,000
Maintain weighted average diluted shares count (in shares)			335
New repurchase program | 2015 Repurchase Program
Share repurchase program
Authorized amount					$1,140,000,000

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY_Dividends_

STOCKHOLDER"S EQUITY - Dividends (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	20-May-15
Dividends Paid
Cash paid per share for dividends previously declared			$0.20	$0.26
Aggregate cash paid for dividends previously declared			$67	$88
Dividends Declared
Cash dividends declared per common share	$0.10	$0.13	$0.20	$0.26
Subsequent Event
Dividends Declared
Date dividend declared					20-May-15
Cash dividends declared per common share					$0.10
Cash amount of dividend declared					$33
Dividends payment date					22-Jul-15
Dividends date of record					30-Jun-15

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY_Accumulate

STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Nov. 01, 2014
Beginning Balance			($334)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-9	96	-268	41
Ending Balance	-270		-270
Unrealized gain on investments
Beginning balance			17
Tax (expense) benefit	0	0	0	1
Foreign currency translation
Beginning balance			156
Tax (expense) benefit	1	-5	7	0
Prior service credits
Beginning balance			255
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-4	-12	-8	-24
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-3	-8	-5	-16
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Actuarial Gain (Loss), before Tax
Beginning balance			-771
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	8	14	17	31
Other comprehensive income (loss)	6	12	10	25
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives
Beginning balance			9
Continuing Operations
Beginning Balance	-261		-2
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	-9		-273
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-3		-2
Tax (expense) benefit	3		7
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-9		-268
Ending Balance	-270		-270
Unrealized gain on investments
Beginning balance	0		0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0		0
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0		0
Tax (expense) benefit	0		0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0		0
Ending balance	0		0
Foreign currency translation
Beginning balance	-118		147
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-7		-278
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0		0
Tax (expense) benefit	1		7
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-6		-271
Ending balance	-124		-124
Prior service credits
Beginning balance	170		172
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0		0
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-4		-8
Tax (expense) benefit	1		3
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-3		-5
Ending balance	167		167
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Actuarial Gain (Loss), before Tax
Beginning balance	-323		-327
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0		-3
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	8		17
Tax (expense) benefit	-2		-4
Other comprehensive income (loss)	6		10
Ending balance	-317		-317
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives
Beginning balance	10		6
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-2		8
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-7		-11
Tax (expense) benefit	3		1
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-6		-2
Ending balance	4		4
Discontinued Operations
Beginning Balance			332		332
Ending Balance					332
Unrealized gain on investments
Beginning balance			-17		-17
Ending balance					-17
Foreign currency translation
Beginning balance			-9		-9
Ending balance					-9
Prior service credits
Beginning balance			-83		-83
Ending balance					-83
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Actuarial Gain (Loss), before Tax
Beginning balance			444		444
Ending balance					444
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives
Beginning balance			-3		-3
Ending balance					($3)

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY_Reclassifi

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - Reclassifications out of accumulated comprehensive income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives
Unrealized losses on derivatives reclassified to cost of products		$0		$1
Unrealized gains on derivatives reclassified to cost of products	7		11
Unrealized gains and (losses) on derivatives reclassified to cost of products, before tax	7	0	11	-1
Reclassification of (gains) and losses into earnings related to derivative instruments, tax	-2	0	-3	1
Unrealized gains and (losses) on derivatives reclassified to cost of products, net of tax	5	0	8	0
Actuarial net loss	-8	-14	-17	-31
Prior service benefit	4	12	8	24
Actuarial net loss and prior service benefit reclassified, before tax	-4	-2	-9	-7
Tax on actuarial net loss and prior service benefit reclassified	1	0	1	0
Actuarial net loss and prior service benefit reclassified, net of tax	-3	-2	-8	-7
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	$2	($2)	$0	($7)

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Profitabil

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Profitability (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	3
Select Income Statement Components
Total net revenue	$963	$988	$1,989	$1,996
Income from operations	107	94	222	218
Life Sciences and Applied Markets
Select Income Statement Components
Total net revenue	473	495	1,020	1,032
Income from operations	75	71	182	176
Diagnostics and Genomics
Select Income Statement Components
Total net revenue	169	168	317	325
Income from operations	25	26	26	45
Agilent CrossLab
Select Income Statement Components
Total net revenue	321	325	652	639
Income from operations	69	70	137	139
Segment Total
Select Income Statement Components
Total net revenue	963	988	1,989	1,996
Income from operations	$169	$167	$345	$360

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Reconcilia

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Reconciliation of Reportable Results (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated
Total reportable segmentsb income from operations	$169	$167	$345	$360
Acceleration of share-based compensation expense related to workforce reduction	-1	0	-2	0
Transformational initiatives	-17	-8	-29	-11
Amortization of intangible	-38	-49	-81	-98
Acquisition and integration costs	-1	-2	-2	-8
Business exit and divestiture costs (primarily our NMR business)	-8	0	-11	0
Pre-separation costs	0	-2	0	-4
Other	3	-2	2	-1
Interest income	2	2	4	4
Interest expense	-17	-30	-33	-59
Other income (expense), net	4	3	16	3
Unallocated corporate charges	0	-10	0	-20
Income from continuing operations before taxes	$96	$69	$209	$166

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Segment_As

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Segment Assets (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 30, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information
Assets	$7,412	$10,831
Life Sciences and Applied Markets
Segment Reporting Information
Assets	1,548	1,663
Diagnostics and Genomics
Segment Reporting Information
Assets	2,028	2,302
Agilent CrossLab
Segment Reporting Information
Assets	1,005	1,001
Segment Total
Segment Reporting Information
Assets	$4,581	$4,966

SUBSEQUENT_EVENTS_Details

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details)	0 Months Ended
	19-May-15	28-May-15	Apr. 30, 2015	14-May-13
	Subsequent Event	2015 Repurchase Program	2014 Share Repurchase Program	2014 Share Repurchase Program
	EUR (€)	Subsequent Event	USD ($)	USD ($)
		USD ($)
Business Acquisition
Purchase price for Cartagenia acquisition	€ 60,000,000
Repurchase Program
Authorized amount		1,140,000,000		1,000,000,000
Remaining authorized amount for 2014 repurchase program			$365,000,000