| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 12 Months Ended |
| Jan. 31, 2016 |
| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
| Fiscal Year | Fiscal Year Our fiscal year ends on January 31. References to fiscal 2016 , for example, refer to the year ended January 31, 2016 . |
| Basis of Presentation | Basis of Presentation These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The consolidated financial statements include the results of Workday, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Certain prior period amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. The reclassifications, which include reclassifications related to the adoption of ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, and ASU 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes (see Note 2 - Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements), were immaterial and had no effect on previously reported operating results. |
| Use of Estimates | Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates include, but are not limited to, the determination of the relative selling prices for our services, certain assumptions used in the valuation of equity awards and the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed through business combinations. Actual results could differ from those estimates and such differences could be material to our consolidated financial position and results of operations. |
| Segment Information | Segment Information We operate in one operating segment, cloud applications. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, who is our chief executive officer, in deciding how to allocate resources and assessing performance. Our chief operating decision maker allocates resources and assesses performance based upon discrete financial information at the consolidated level. Since we operate in one operating segment, all required financial segment information can be found in the consolidated financial statements. |
| Revenue Recognition | Revenue Recognition We derive our revenues primarily from subscription services fees and from professional services fees, including training. We sell subscriptions to our cloud applications through contracts that are generally three years in length. Our arrangements do not contain general rights of return. Our subscription contracts do not provide customers with the right to take possession of the software supporting the applications and, as a result, are accounted for as service contracts. We commence revenue recognition for our cloud applications and professional services when all of the following criteria are met: • There is persuasive evidence of an arrangement; • The service has been or is being provided to the customer; • Collection of the fees is reasonably assured; and • The amount of fees to be paid by the customer is fixed or determinable. Subscription Services Revenues Subscription services revenues are generally recognized ratably over the contractual term of the arrangement beginning on the date that our service is made available to the customer, assuming all revenue recognition criteria have been met. Professional Services Revenues Professional services revenues are generally recognized as the services are rendered for time and materials contracts, or on a proportional performance basis for fixed price contracts. The majority of our professional services contracts are on a time and materials basis. Training revenues are recognized as the services are rendered. Multiple Deliverable Arrangements For arrangements with multiple deliverables, we evaluate whether the individual deliverables qualify as separate units of accounting. In order to treat deliverables in a multiple deliverable arrangement as separate units of accounting, the deliverables must have standalone value upon delivery. If the deliverables have standalone value upon delivery, we account for each deliverable separately and revenue is recognized for the respective deliverables as they are delivered. Subscription contracts have standalone value as we sell the subscriptions separately. All of our professional services have standalone value and can be accounted for separately from subscription services, given the availability of the professional services from other vendors, the nature of our professional services and ongoing sales of our applications to new customers without professional services. When multiple deliverables included in an arrangement are separable into different units of accounting, the arrangement consideration is allocated to the identified separate units of accounting based on their relative selling price. Multiple deliverable arrangement accounting guidance provides a hierarchy when determining the relative selling price for each unit of accounting. Vendor-specific objective evidence (VSOE) of selling price, based on the price at which the item is regularly sold by the vendor on a standalone basis, should be used if it exists. If VSOE of selling price is not available, third-party evidence (TPE) of selling price is used to establish the selling price if it exists. If neither VSOE nor TPE exist for a deliverable, arrangements with multiple deliverables can be separated into discrete units of accounting based on our best estimate of selling price. The amount of arrangement fee allocated is limited by contingent revenues, if any. We determine the best estimate of selling price for our deliverables based on our overall pricing objectives, taking into consideration market conditions and entity-specific factors. We evaluate our best estimate of selling price by reviewing historical data related to sales of our deliverables, including comparing the percentages of our contract prices to our list prices. We also consider several other data points in our evaluation, including the size of our arrangements, the cloud applications sold, customer demographics and the numbers and types of users within our arrangements. |
| Cash and Cash Equivalents | Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase. Our cash equivalents generally consist of investments in U.S. agency obligations, U.S. treasury securities, commercial paper and money market funds. Cash and cash equivalents are stated at fair value. |
| Marketable Securities | Marketable Securities Our marketable securities consist of U.S. agency obligations, U.S. treasury securities, U.S. corporate securities, and commercial paper. We classify our marketable securities as available-for-sale at the time of purchase and reevaluate such classification as of each balance sheet date. We may sell these securities at any time for use in current operations or for other purposes, such as consideration for acquisitions, even if they have not yet reached maturity. As a result, we classify our investments, including securities with maturities beyond twelve months , as current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. All marketable securities are recorded at their estimated fair value. Unrealized gains and losses for available-for-sale securities are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss). We evaluate our investments to assess whether those with unrealized loss positions are other-than-temporarily impaired. We consider impairments to be other than temporary if they are related to deterioration in credit risk or if it is likely we will sell the securities before the recovery of their cost basis. Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other-than-temporary are determined based on the specific identification method and are reported in other expense, net in the consolidated statements of operations. |
| Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts | Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on our assessment of the collectability of accounts. We regularly review the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts by considering the age of each outstanding invoice, the collection history of each customer and other relevant factors to determine the appropriate amount of our allowance. Accounts receivable deemed uncollectable are charged against the allowance for doubtful accounts when identified. For all periods presented, the allowance for doubtful accounts activity was not significant. |
| Deferred Commissions | Deferred Commissions Sales commissions earned by our sales force are considered to be direct sales commissions when they can be associated specifically with a non-cancelable subscription contract. Direct sales commissions are deferred when earned and amortized over the same period that revenues are recognized for the related non-cancelable subscription contract. The commission payments are paid in full after the customer has paid for its first year of service. Amortization of deferred commissions is included in the Sales and marketing line in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. |
| Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities | Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities We use derivative financial instruments to manage foreign currency risks (see Note 9). We account for these instruments in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (ASC 815), which requires that every derivative instrument be recorded on the consolidated balance sheets as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value as of the reporting date. Gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value are accounted for depending on the use of the derivative and whether it is designated and qualifies for hedge accounting. For foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedging instruments, which we use to hedge a portion of our net outstanding monetary assets and liabilities, the gains or losses are recognized in earnings in the period of change. For a derivative instrument designated as a cash flow hedge, which we use to hedge certain customer contracts denominated in foreign currencies, the change in fair value on the effective portion is recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in our consolidated balance sheets each reporting period. The balance in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is subsequently reclassified to the related revenue line item in the consolidated statements of operations in the same period that the underlying revenues are earned. |
| Property and Equipment | Property and Equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the related lease term. Property and equipment is reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. |
| Business Combinations | Business Combinations We use our best estimates and assumptions to accurately assign fair value to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. Our estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. During the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, we may record adjustments to the fair value of these tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill. In addition, uncertain tax positions and tax-related valuation allowances are initially established in connection with a business combination as of the acquisition date. We continue to collect information and reevaluate these estimates and assumptions quarterly and record any adjustments to our preliminary estimates to goodwill provided that we are within the measurement period. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the fair value of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to our consolidated statements of operations. |
| Goodwill and Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets | Goodwill and Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets Acquisition-related intangible assets with a finite life are typically amortized over useful lives of three to four years. Goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually, and more frequently upon the occurrence of certain events. We completed our annual impairment test in our fourth quarter, which did not result in any impairment of the goodwill balance. |
| Unearned Revenue | Unearned Revenue Unearned revenue primarily consists of customer billings in advance of revenues being recognized from our subscription contracts. We generally invoice our customers for our subscription contracts in annual installments. Our typical payment terms provide that customers pay a portion of the total arrangement fee within 30 days of the contract date. Unearned revenue that is anticipated to be recognized during the succeeding twelve -month period is recorded as current unearned revenue and the remaining portion is recorded as noncurrent. |
| Convertible Senior Notes | Convertible Senior Notes In June 2013, we issued 0.75% convertible senior notes due July 15, 2018 (2018 Notes) with a principal amount of $350 million . Concurrently, we issued 1.50% convertible senior notes due July 15, 2020 (2020 Notes) with a principal amount of $250 million (together with the 2018 Notes, referred to as the Notes). In accounting for the Notes, we separated them into liability and equity components. The carrying amount of the liability components were calculated by measuring the fair value of a similar liability that does not have an associated convertible feature. The carrying amount of the equity components representing the conversion options were determined by deducting the fair value of the liability component from the par value of the Notes as a whole. These differences represent debt discounts that are amortized to interest expense over the terms of the Notes. The equity components are not remeasured as long as they continue to meet the conditions for equity classification. In accounting for the issuance costs related to the Notes, we allocated the total amount incurred to the liability and equity components. Issuance costs attributable to the liability components are being amortized to expense over the respective terms of the Notes, and issuance costs attributable to the equity components were netted with the respective equity component in additional paid-in capital. |
| Advertising Expenses | Advertising Expenses Advertising is expensed as incurred. |
| Share-Based Compensation | Share-Based Compensation All share-based compensation to employees is measured based on the grant-date fair value of the awards and recognized in our consolidated statements of operations over the period during which the employee is required to perform services in exchange for the award (generally the vesting period of the award). We estimate the fair value of stock options granted and shares issued under our employee stock purchase plan using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. For restricted stock awards and units and performance-based restricted stock units, fair value is based on the closing price of our common stock on the grant date. Compensation expense is generally recognized over the vesting period of the applicable award using the straight-line method. Compensation expense for non-employee stock options is calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and is recorded as the options vest. Non-employee options subject to vesting are required to be periodically revalued over their service period, which is generally the same as the vesting period. |
| Income Taxes | Income Taxes We record a provision for income taxes for the anticipated tax consequences of the reported results of operations using the asset and liability method. Under this method, we recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities, as well as for operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the tax rates that are expected to apply to taxable income for the years in which those tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the net amount that we believe is more likely than not to be realized. We recognize tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only if we believe that it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. Although we believe that we have adequately reserved for our uncertain tax positions, we can provide no assurance that the final tax outcome of these matters will not be materially different. As we expand internationally, we will face increased complexity in determining the appropriate tax jurisdictions for revenue and expense items, as a result, our unrecognized tax benefits will likely increase in the future. We make adjustments to these reserves when facts and circumstances change, such as the closing of a tax audit or the refinement of an estimate. To the extent that the final tax outcome of these matters is different than the amounts recorded, such differences will affect the provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made and could have a material impact on our financial condition and operating results. The provision for income taxes includes the effects of any accruals that we believe are appropriate, as well as the related net interest and penalties. |
| Warranties and Indemnification | Warranties and Indemnification Our cloud applications are generally warranted to perform materially in accordance with our online help documentation under normal use and circumstances. Additionally, our contracts generally include provisions for indemnifying customers against liabilities if our cloud applications contracts infringe a third party’s intellectual property rights, and we may also incur liabilities if we breach the security and/or confidentiality obligations in our contracts. To date, we have not incurred any material costs, and we have not accrued any liabilities in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, as a result of these obligations. We have entered into service-level agreements with a majority of our customers warranting defined levels of uptime reliability and performance and permitting those customers to receive credits or refunds for prepaid amounts related to unused subscription services or to terminate their agreements in the event that we fail to meet those levels. To date, we have not experienced any significant failures to meet defined levels of reliability and performance as a result of those agreements and, as a result, we have not accrued any liabilities related to these agreements in the consolidated financial statements. |
| Foreign Currency Exchange | Foreign Currency Exchange The functional currency for certain of our foreign subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar, while others use local currencies. We translate the foreign functional currency financial statements to U.S dollars for those entities that do not have U.S. dollars as their functional currency using the exchange rates at the balance sheet date for assets and liabilities, the period average exchange rates for revenues and expenses, and the historical exchange rates for equity transactions. The effects of foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as a component of stockholders' equity, and related periodic movements are summarized as a line item in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in Other expense, net on the consolidated statements of operations for the period. |
| Concentrations of Risk and Significant Customers | Concentrations of Risk and Significant Customers Our financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and accounts receivable. Our deposits exceed federally insured limits. No single customer represented over 10% of accounts receivable in the consolidated financial statements as of January 31, 2016 or 2015 . No single customer represented over 10% of total revenues for any of the periods in the consolidated financial statements. In order to reduce the risk of down-time of our cloud applications, we have established data centers in various geographic regions. We have internal procedures to restore services in the event of disaster at one of our current data center facilities. We serve our customers and users from data center facilities operated by third parties, located in Ashburn, Virginia; Atlanta, Georgia; Portland, Oregon; Dublin, Ireland; and Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Even with these procedures for disaster recovery in place, our cloud applications could be significantly interrupted during the implementation of the procedures to restore services. In addition, we rely on Amazon Web Services (AWS), which provides a distributed computing infrastructure platform for business operations, to operate certain aspects of our services, such as environments for development testing, training and sales demonstrations. Any disruption of or interference with our use of AWS would impact our operations. |
| Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements | Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements As of January 31, 2016, we retrospectively adopted, for all comparative periods presented, ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs . The amendments in ASU 2015-03 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. In order to conform to the current financial statement presentation, $6 million and $9 million of unamortized debt issuance costs have been reclassified from Other assets to Convertible senior notes, net on the consolidated balance sheets as of January 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. See Note 10 for additional information. As of January 31, 2016, we retrospectively adopted, for all comparative periods presented, ASU 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes . ASU 2015-17 provides presentation requirements to classify deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. Adoption of this ASU resulted in a reclassification of $1 million of current deferred tax assets from Prepaid expenses and other current assets to Other assets on the consolidated balance sheets as of both January 31, 2016 and 2015. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-9 regarding ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers . The standard provides principles for recognizing revenue for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers with the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance is effective for our fiscal year beginning February 1, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the accounting, transition and disclosure requirements of the standard and cannot currently estimate the financial statement impact of adoption. On January 5, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-1 regarding ASC Topic 825-10, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities . The standard requires entities to carry all investments in equity securities at fair value through net income. The guidance is effective for our fiscal year beginning February 1, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the accounting, transition and disclosure requirements of the standard and cannot currently estimate the financial statement impact of adoption. On February 25, 2016, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) . These amendments require the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet by lessees for those leases currently classified as operating leases under ASC 840 “Leases”. The guidance is effective for our fiscal year beginning February 1, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the accounting, transition and disclosure requirements of the standard and cannot currently estimate the financial statement impact of adoption. |
