Keysight (KEYS) 10-Q 4 Jun 15 2015 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015	Jun. 03, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Keysight Technologies, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1601046
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-21
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		169,337,658
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	30-Apr-15
Trading Symbol	KEYS

CONDENSED_COMBINED_AND_CONSOLI

CONDENSED COMBINED AND 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 [Abstract]
Products	$630	$627	$1,226	$1,190
Services and other	110	116	215	224
Total net revenue	740	743	1,441	1,414
Costs and expenses:
Cost of products	264	270	524	515
Cost of services and other	60	58	118	112
Total costs	324	328	642	627
Research and development	96	89	192	179
Selling, general and administrative	192	199	398	390
Total costs and expenses	612	616	1,232	1,196
Income from operations	128	127	209	218
Interest income	1	0	1	0
Interest expense	-11	0	-23	0
Other income (expense), net	4	1	13	2
Income before taxes, as reported	122	128	200	220
Provision for income taxes	26	18	34	36
Net income	96	110	166	184
Net income per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.57	$0.66	$0.99	$1.10
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.56	$0.66	$0.97	$1.10
Weighted average shares used in computing net income per share:
Basic (in shares)	169	167	168	167
Diluted (in shares)	171	167	171	167
Total
Costs and expenses:
Income from operations	$150	$157	$270	$275

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)	Nov. 01, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Income Statement [Abstract]
Stock Issued During Period Shares Issued In Connection With Separation	167

CONDENSED_COMBINED_AND_CONSOLI1

CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (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
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net Income	$96	$110	$166	$184
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax expense of $ 1, $1, $1 and zero	8	2	8	0
Unrealized gain(loss) on derivative instruments, net of tax benefit of ($1), zero, $1 and zero	2	0	-1	0
Amounts reclassified into earnings related to derivative instruments, net of tax benefit (expense) of $ zero	-1	0	-2	0
Foreign currency translation, net of tax expense of zero, $1, zero and zero	-1	1	-34	-11
Net defined benefit pension cost and post retirement plan costs:
Amortization of actuarial net loss, net of tax expense of $3, zero, $6 and zero	8	0	16	0
Amortization of net prior service benefit, net of tax benefit of $3, zero,$6 and zero	-4	0	-8	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	12	3	-21	-11
Total comprehensive income	$108	$113	$145	$173

CONDENSED_COMBINED_AND_CONSOLI2

CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (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 [Abstract]
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments,tax	($1)	($1)	($1)	$0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, Tax	0	0
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments, Tax	-1	0	1	0
Reclassification of (gains) and losses into earnings related to derivative instruments, tax	0	0	0	0
Foreign currency translation, tax	0	-1	0	0
Net defined benefit pension cost and post retirement plan costs, tax [Abstract]
Amortization of net loss, tax expense	3	0	6	0
Amortization of net prior service benefit, tax benefit	$3	$0	$6	$0

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	$894	$810
Accounts receivable, net	353	357
Receivable from Agilent, Current	0	23
Inventory	476	498
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross, Current	73	83
Other current assets	131	79
Total current assets	1,927	1,850
Property, plant and equipment, net	460	470
Goodwill	378	392
Other intangible assets, net	14	18
Long-term investments	67	63
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross, Noncurrent	126	163
Other assets	89	94
Total assets	3,061	3,050
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	178	173
Payable to Agilent, Current	0	125
Employee compensation and benefits	173	167
Deferred revenue	164	175
Taxes Payable, Current	51	72
Other accrued liabilities	65	57
Total current liabilities	631	769
Long-term debt	1,099	1,099
Retirement and post-retirement benefits	173	213
Deferred Revenue, Noncurrent	64	69
Other long-term liabilities	58	131
Total liabilities	2,025	2,281
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 12)
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred Stock; $0.01 par value; 100 million shares authorized; none issued and outstanding	0	0
Common stock; $0.01 par value; 1 billion shares authorized; 169 million shares at April 30, 2015 and 167 million shares at October 31, 2014 issued	2	2
Additional paid-in-capital	1,124	1,002
Retained earnings	267	101
Accumulated other comprehensive income	-357	-336
Total stockholder's equity	1,036	769
Total liabilities and equity	$3,061	$3,050

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Apr. 30, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
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)	1,000,000,000	1,000,000,000
Common stock, issued and outstanding (in shares)	169,000,000	167,000,000

CONDENSED_COMBINED_AND_CONSOLI3

CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
Net Income	$166	$184
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	46	39
Share-based compensation	42	26
Excess tax benefit from share-based plans	-3	0
Deferred taxes	13	33
Excess and obsolete inventory related charges	17	14
Other non-cash expenses, net	1	0
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	-5	5
Inventory	-17	-31
Accounts payable	1	26
Increase (Decrease) in Due To/From Agilent, Current	-28	0
Employee compensation and benefits	7	5
Increase (Decrease) in Pension and Postretirement Obligations	-21	0
Other assets and liabilities	-59	-26
Net cash provided by operating activities	160	275
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investments in property, plant and equipment	-31	-34
Proceeds from sale of investments	1	0
Net cash used in investing activities	-30	-34
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans	8	0
Excess tax benefit from share-based plans	3	0
Return of capital to Agilent	-49	0
Net Transfer to Agilent	0	-241
Net Cash used in Financing Activities	-38	-241
Effect of exchange rate movements	-8	0
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	84	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	810	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	894
Income Taxes Paid, Net	22	0
Interest paid, Long-term Debt	$24	$0

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	OVERVIEW, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Overview. Keysight Technologies, Inc. ("we," "us," "Keysight" or the "company"), incorporated in Delaware on December 6, 2013, is a measurement company providing core electronic measurement solutions to communications and electronics industries.
	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.
	On November 1, 2014, Keysight became an independent publicly-traded company through the distribution by Agilent Technologies, Inc. ("Agilent") of 100 percent of the outstanding common stock of Keysight to Agilent's shareholders (the "Separation"). Each Agilent shareholder of record as of the close of business on October 22, 2014 received one share of Keysight common stock for every two shares of Agilent common stock held on the record date, resulting in the distribution of approximately 167 million shares of Keysight common stock. Keysight's Registration Statement on Form 10 was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on October 6, 2014. Keysight's common stock began trading "regular-way" under the ticker symbol "KEYS" on the New York Stock Exchange on November 3, 2014.
	Basis of Presentation. We have prepared the accompanying financial statements for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014 pursuant to the rules and regulations of the 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 statements and information should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
	Prior to the distribution, Agilent transferred substantially all of the assets and liabilities and operations of the electronic measurement business to Keysight in August 2014 ("the Capitalization"). Combined financial statements prior to the Capitalization
	were prepared on a stand-alone basis and were derived from Agilent’s consolidated financial statements and accounting records. For the three and six months ended April 30, 2014, expenses were allocated to us using estimates that we consider to be a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services provided to or benefits received by us.
	Following the Capitalization, the consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the company and our subsidiaries. Agilent continues to provide some services on a transitional basis for a fee, which are partially offset by other income from Keysight services provided to Agilent. These services are received or provided under a transition services agreement. We do not expect the net costs associated with the transition services agreement to be materially different than the historical costs that have been allocated to us related to these same services.
	We recognized separation costs of $5 million and $12 million for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015, respectively, and $17 million and $25 million for the three and six months ended April 30, 2014, respectively, including branding, legal, accounting and other advisory fees and other costs to separate and transition from Agilent, which were principally classified in selling, general and administrative expenses.
	In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed combined and consolidated financial statements contain all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to state fairly our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014, condensed combined and consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014, condensed combined and consolidated statement of operations for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014, and condensed combined and consolidated statement of cash flows for the six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014.
	The preparation of condensed combined and 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 combined and 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, inventory valuation, allocation methods and allocated expenses from Agilent, valuation of goodwill and other intangible assets, share-based compensation, retirement and post-retirement plan assumptions, restructuring, warranty and accounting for income taxes.
	Update to Significant Accounting Policies. There have been no 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.

NEW_ACCOUNTING_PRONOUNCEMENTS

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an amendment to the accounting guidance related to revenue recognition. The amendment was the result of a joint project between the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop common revenue standards for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). To meet those objectives, the FASB is amending the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and creating a new Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and the IASB is issuing IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. On April 1, 2015, the FASB proposed deferring the effective date by one year to December 15, 2017 for annual reporting periods beginning after that date. The FASB also proposed permitting early adoption of the standard, but not before the original effective date of December 15, 2016. We are evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance to our combined and consolidated financial statements.
	In June 2014, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting guidance relating to share-based compensation to resolve what it saw as diverse accounting treatment of certain awards. With this amendment, the FASB has given explicit guidance to treat a performance target that could be achieved after the requisite service period as a performance condition that affects vesting rather than as a non-vesting condition that affects the grant-date fair value of an award. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and for the interim periods within those annual periods. Earlier adoption is permitted. We do not expect a material impact to our combined and consolidated financial statements due to the adoption of this guidance.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued guidance related to the disclosures around going concern. The standard provided guidance around management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and to provided related footnote disclosures. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect a material impact to our combined and consolidated financial statements due to the adoption of this guidance.
	In February 2015, the FASB issued guidance with respect 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 new guidance affects the following areas: (1) limited partnerships and similar legal entities, (2) evaluating fees paid to a decision maker or a service provider as a variable interest, (3) the effect of fee arrangements on the primary beneficiary determination, (4) the effect of related parties on the primary beneficiary determination, and (5) certain investment funds. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect a material impact to our combined and consolidated financial statements due to the adoption of this guidance.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance to simplify presentation of debt issuance costs. The standard requires 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 standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect a material impact to our combined and consolidated financial statements due to the adoption of this guidance.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance that clarifies the circumstances under which a cloud computing customer would account for an arrangement as a license of internal-use software. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance to our combined and consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2015, the FASB issued guidance that removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. The standard also removes the requirement to make certain disclosures for all investments that are eligible to be measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient. Rather, those disclosures are limited to investments for which the entity has elected to measure the fair value using that practical expedient. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect a material impact to our combined and consolidated financial statements due to the adoption of this guidance.
	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 combined and consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

TRANSACTIONS_WITH_AGILENT

TRANSACTIONS WITH AGILENT	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
TRANSACTIONS WITH AGILENT	TRANSACTIONS WITH AGILENT
	Prior to the Separation, we were the Electronic Measurement segment of Agilent, and thus, our transactions with Agilent were considered intercompany. After the Capitalization and prior to November 1, 2014, our transactions with Agilent were considered related party transactions since Agilent owned 100% of our outstanding common stock until October 31, 2014.
	For the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014, the amount of materials and services sold by us to other Agilent businesses was immaterial, and we did not purchase any materials from the other Agilent businesses.
	Allocated Costs
	The condensed combined and consolidated statement of operations for the three and six months ended April 30, 2014 included our direct expenses for cost of products and services sold, research and development, sales and marketing, distribution, and administration as well as allocations of expenses arising from shared services and infrastructure provided by Agilent to us. These allocated expenses include costs of information technology, accounting and legal services, real estate and facilities, corporate advertising, insurance services, treasury and other corporate and infrastructure services and costs for central research and development efforts. In addition, other costs allocated to us included restructuring costs, share-based compensation expense and retirement plan expenses related to Agilent’s corporate and shared services employees and are included in the table below. These expenses were allocated to us using estimates that we consider to be a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services provided to or benefits received by us. These costs were allocated to us on the basis of direct usage when identifiable, with the remainder allocated on a pro-rata basis of revenue, square footage, headcount or other measures.
	Allocated costs included in the accompanying condensed combined and consolidated statement of operations are as follows:
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		April 30,				April 30,
		2015		2014		2015		2014
		(in millions)				(in millions)
	Cost of products and services	$	—	$	23	$	—	$	48
	Research and development	—		11		—		22
	Selling, general and administrative	—		73		—		139
	Other (income) expense, net	—		—		—		(1		)
	Total allocated costs	$	—	$	107	$	—	$	208
	Receivable from and Payable to Agilent
	The payable to Agilent was reduced by $25 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2015 as a result of finalization of discussions with Agilent as provided in the separation and distribution agreement. This adjustment was reflected as an increase in additional paid-in-capital in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The remaining receivables from and payables to Agilent were substantially settled as of April 30, 2015.

SHAREBASED_COMPENSATION

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION	SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
	Keysight 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 (“LTP”) Program based on estimated fair values.
	Prior to the Separation, Keysight employees participated in Agilent’s equity plans. Upon the Separation, outstanding Keysight employee stock options, restricted stock units ("RSUs") and LTP Program awards previously issued under Agilent’s equity plans were adjusted and converted into new Keysight stock-based awards under the Keysight 2014 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan using a formula designed to preserve the intrinsic value and fair value of the awards immediately prior to the separation. These adjusted awards retained the vesting schedule and expiration date of the original awards.
	The impact of share-based compensation on our results was as follows:
		Three Months Ended							Six Months Ended
		April 30,							April 30,
		2015			2014				2015			2014
		(in millions)
	Cost of products and services	$	4		$	3			$	8		$	7
	Research and development	2			1				6			4
	Selling, general and administrative	7			6				28			16
	Total share-based compensation expense	$	13		$	10			$	42		$	27
	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 and $3 million, respectively. For the three and six months ended April 30, 2014, the windfall tax benefit realized from exercised stock options and similar awards was zero. The expense for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 includes expense of $1 million and $15 million, respectively, related to special inaugural RSU awards. These awards will vest over three years from the date of grant.
	The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of employee stock options and LTP Program grants.
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		April 30,					April 30,
		2015		2014			2015			2014
	Stock Option Plans:
	Weighted average risk-free interest rate	—		1.8	%		1.6	%		1.7	%
	Dividend yield	—		1	%		—	%		1	%
	Weighted average volatility	—		38	%		31	%		39	%
	Expected life	—		5.8 years			4.9 years			5.8 years
	LTP Program:
	Volatility of Keysight shares	26	%	NA			26	%		NA
	Volatility of selected peer-company shares	17%-67%		NA			17%-67%			NA
	Price-wise correlation with selected peers	38	%	NA			38	%		NA
	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 LTP Program 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. The estimated fair value of restricted stock awards is determined based on the market price of Keysight’s common stock on the date of grant. Prior to the Separation, it was 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.
	As of November 1, 2014, Agilent’s fiscal 2013 LTP Program grants to Keysight executives are classified as liability awards in our condensed combined and consolidated financial statements as the payout of Keysight shares is dependent upon Agilent Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) as compared to its peer companies at the end of fiscal 2015. The mark-to-market adjustment was not material for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015.
	For the three months ended April 30, 2015, no stock option awards were granted. For the six months ended April 30, 2015, we used the average historical volatility of eleven peer companies to estimate the volatility for our stock option awards. We considered our ability to find traded options of peer companies in the current market with similar terms and prices to our options. For the three and six months ended April 30, 2014, we used the historical volatility of Agilent stock to estimate the volatility for stock option awards. In estimating the expected life of our options, we considered the historical option exercise behavior of our executives, which we believe is representative of future behavior.

INCOME_TAXES

INCOME TAXES	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES
	Our combined and consolidated financial statements for periods prior to November 1, 2014 reflect the calculation of certain deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities based on a separate return methodology. Subsequent to the Separation, we are filing tax returns on our own behalf and certain current and non-current deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities have been adjusted to reflect our stand-alone income tax positions. As of the Separation date, as a result of no longer reporting under the separate return methodology, current and non-current deferred tax assets decreased by approximately $6 million and $35 million, respectively. The net decrease in non-current deferred tax assets of $35 million was primarily due to the decrease in the deferred tax assets related to tax attributes of $83 million offset by a decrease in the deferred tax liability related to foreign unremitted earnings of approximately $53 million. The non-current deferred tax liabilities increased by $2 million as of the Separation date.
	As of April 30, 2015, we continue to include a best estimate of the deferred tax liability for foreign unremitted earnings due to the separation as zero. Excess foreign tax credits associated with unremitted earnings are not recorded as an asset as they do not represent a separate deferred asset until earnings are remitted. However, unremitted foreign taxes reduce deferred tax liabilities associated with outside basis differences related to the investment in a foreign subsidiary to the extent the credit reduces a deferred tax liability of the investment. We continue to have ongoing discussions with Agilent regarding the allocation of certain deferred tax liability balances related to foreign unremitted earnings in accordance with the separation agreements.
	The company’s effective tax rate was 21.7 percent and 17.2 percent for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015, respectively. The company's effective tax rate was 14.1 percent and 16.4 percent for the three and six months ended April 30, 2014, respectively. The income tax expense was $26 million and $34 million for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015, respectively. The income tax expense was $18 million and $36 million for the three and six months ended April 30, 2014, respectively.
	The income tax provision for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 included a net discrete expense of $3 million and a net discrete benefit of $7 million, respectively. The income tax provision for the three and six months ended April 30, 2014 included a net discrete expense of $3 million and $12 million, respectively, primarily due to the recognition of tax expense related to the repatriation of earnings to the U.S., offset somewhat by the settlement of an IRS audit in the U.S.
	Keysight enjoys tax incentives in several jurisdictions, most notably in Singapore. The tax incentives provide lower rates of taxation on certain classes of income and require that certain conditions be met, including thresholds of employment, ownership of certain assets as well as specific type of investment activities within Singapore. As a result of the Singapore tax incentive that was finalized this quarter, the current income tax provision decreased by $21 million resulting in a net income per share (diluted) benefit of approximately $0.12 per share for the six months ended April 30, 2015. Further, the discrete impact to the tax provision was a decrease of $6 million, resulting in a net income per share (diluted) benefit of approximately $0.03 per share related to the fiscal 2014 impact. The Singapore tax incentive is due for renewal in fiscal 2024.
	For the majority of our entities, the open tax years for the IRS, state and most foreign audit authorities are from August 1, 2014 through the current tax year. For certain historical Agilent foreign entities that Keysight retained as part of the separation, the tax years generally remain open back to the year 2005. We do not believe it is reasonably possible that a change to our unrecognized tax benefits will occur in the next twelve months due to either the expiration of a statute of limitation or a tax audit settlement.

NET_INCOME_PER_SHARE

NET INCOME PER SHARE	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
NET INCOME PER SHARE	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:
	Net income	$	96	$	110	$	166	$	184
	Denominator:
	Basic weighted-average shares(a)	169		167		168		167
	Potential common shares— stock options and other employee stock plans	2		—		3		—
	Diluted weighted-average shares(a)	171		167		171		167
	(a) On November 1, 2014, Agilent Technologies, Inc. distributed 167 million shares of Keysight common stock to existing holders of Agilent common stock. Basic and diluted net income per share for the three and six months ended April 30, 2014 is calculated using the shares distributed on November 1, 2014.
	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, no options to purchase shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share. In addition, we also exclude from the calculation of diluted earnings per share, stock options, ESPP, LTP Program 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, we excluded 13,600 and 23,200 shares, respectively.

INVENTORY

INVENTORY	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
INVENTORY	INVENTORY
		April 30,		October 31,
		2015		2014
		(in millions)
	Finished goods	$	224	$	219
	Purchased parts and fabricated assemblies	252		279
	Total Inventory	$	476	$	498

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	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:
		Customer Support and Services			Measurement Solutions			Total
		(in millions)
	Goodwill as of October 31, 2014	$	55		$	337		$	392
	Foreign currency translation impact	(2		)	(12		)	(14		)
	Goodwill as of April 30, 2015	$	53		$	325		$	378
	The components of other intangible assets as of April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014 are shown in the table below:
		Other Intangible Assets
		Gross			Accumulated			Net Book
		Carrying			Amortization			Value
		Amount			and
					Impairments
		(in millions)
	As of October 31, 2014:
	Developed technology	$	125		$	114		$	11
	Backlog	4			4			—
	Trademark/Tradename	1			1			—
	Customer relationships	32			25			7
	Total	$	162		$	144		$	18
	As of April 30, 2015:
	Developed technology	$	125		$	117		$	8
	Backlog	4			4			—
	Trademark/Tradename	1			1			—
	Customer relationships	32			26			6
	Total	$	162		$	148		$	14
	During the six months ended April 30, 2015, we recorded no additions to goodwill or other intangible assets. During the six months ended April 30, 2015, there was no impact to other intangible assets due to foreign exchange translation.
	Amortization of other intangible assets was $2 million and $4 million for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Future amortization expense related to existing finite-lived purchased intangible assets is estimated to be $4 million for the remainder of 2015, $6 million for 2016, $3 million for 2017, $1 million for 2018, and zero thereafter.

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	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 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)	$	713	$	713	$	—	$	—
	Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	10		—		10		—
	Long-term
	Trading securities	13		13		—		—
	Available-for-sale investments	43		43		—		—
	Total assets measured at fair value	$	779	$	769	$	10	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Short-term
	Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	$	4	$	—	$	4	$	—
	Long-term
	Deferred compensation liability	13		—		13		—
	Total liabilities measured at fair value	$	17	$	—	$	17	$	—
	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)	$	634	$	634	$	—	$	—
	Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	9		—		9		—
	Long-term
	Trading securities	13		13		—		—
	Available-for-sale investments	35		35		—		—
	Total assets measured at fair value	$	691	$	682	$	9	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Short-term
	Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	$	3	$	—	$	3	$	—
	Long-term
	Deferred compensation liability	13		—		13		—
	Total liabilities measured at fair value	$	16	$	—	$	16	$	—
	Our money market funds, trading securities, and available-for-sale 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. Investments designated as available-for-sale and certain derivative instruments are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Realized gains and losses from the sale of these instruments are recorded in net income.

DERIVATIVES

DERIVATIVES	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
DERIVATIVES	DERIVATIVES
	We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and interest rate changes in the normal course of our business. As part of our risk management strategy, we use derivative instruments, primarily forward contracts and purchased options to hedge economic and/or accounting exposures resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Prior to the Capitalization, there were no derivatives contracts legally held by us and the below disclosures represent the activity pertaining to the contracts entered into by us subsequently.
	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. Amounts associated with cash flow hedges are reclassified to cost of products in the condensed combined and 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 will be reclassified to other income (expense), net in the current period. Changes in the fair value of the ineffective portion of derivative instruments are recognized in other income (expense), net in the condensed combined and 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), net over the life of the option contract. Ineffectiveness in the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014 was not significant.
	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), net in the condensed combined and 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 that 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 $2 million. The credit-risk-related contingent features underlying these agreements had not been triggered as of April 30, 2015.
	There were 64 foreign exchange forward contracts open as of April 30, 2015 that were designated as cash flow hedges. There were 80 foreign exchange forward contracts open as of April 30, 2015 that were not designated as hedging instruments. The aggregated notional amounts by currency and designation as of April 30, 2015 were as follows:
			Derivatives in Cash Flow							Derivatives
			Hedging Relationships							Not
										Designated
										as Hedging
										Instruments
			Forward				Option			Forward
			Contracts				Contracts			Contracts
	Currency		Buy/(Sell)				Buy/(Sell)			Buy/(Sell)
			(in millions)
	Euro		$	—			$	—		$	66
	British Pound		—				—			38
	Singapore Dollar		9				—			(2		)
	Malaysian Ringgit		88				—			9
	Japanese Yen		(91		)		—			(2		)
	Other		(4		)		—			11
	Totals		$	2			$	—		$	120
	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 condensed 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		$	5			$	7		Other accrued liabilities		$	3		$	1
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange contracts
	Other current assets		5				2			Other accrued liabilities		1			2
	Total derivatives		$	10			$	9				$	4		$	3
	The effect of derivative instruments for foreign exchange contracts designated as hedging instruments and not designated as hedging instruments in our condensed combined and consolidated statement of operations were as follows:
		Three Months Ended							Six Months Ended
		April 30,							April 30,
		2015				2014			2015				2014
		(in millions)							(in millions)
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Cash Flow Hedges
	Foreign exchange contracts:
	Gain (loss) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income	$	3			$	—		$	(2	)		$	—
	Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into cost of products	$	1			$	—		$	2			$	—
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Gain (loss) recognized in other income (expense), net	$	2			$	—		$	(4	)		$	—
	The estimated amount of existing net gain at April 30, 2015 expected to be reclassified from other comprehensive income to cost of sales within the next twelve months is $1 million.

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	RETIREMENT PLANS AND POST-RETIREMENT PENSION PLANS
	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. Defined Benefit Plans					Non-U.S. Defined Benefit					U.S. Post-Retirement
							Plans					Benefit Plan
		Three Months Ended April 30,
		2015			2014		2015			2014		2015			2014
		(in millions)
	Service cost—benefits earned during the period	$	6		$	—	$	5		$	—	$	1		$	—
	Interest cost on benefit obligation	5			—		10			—		2			—
	Expected return on plan assets	(10		)	—		(18		)	—		(3		)	—
	Amortization:
	Net actuarial losses	1			—		7			—		3			—
	Prior service credit	(1		)	—		—			—		(6		)	—
	Allocated benefit cost (benefit) from Agilent	—			1		—			3		—			(3		)
	Total periodic benefit cost (benefit)	$	1		$	1	$	4		$	3	$	(3	)	$	(3	)
		Pensions
		U.S. Defined Benefit Plans					Non-U.S. Defined Benefit					U.S. Post-Retirement
							Plans					Benefit Plan
		Six Months Ended April 30,
		2015			2014		2015			2014		2015			2014
		(in millions)
	Service cost—benefits earned during the period	$	11		$	—	$	9		$	—	$	1		$	—
	Interest cost on benefit obligation	10			—		21			—		4			—
	Expected return on plan assets	(19		)	—		(37		)	—		(7		)	—
	Amortization:
	Net actuarial losses	2			—		14			—		6			—
	Prior service credit	(3		)	—		—			—		(11		)	—
	Allocated benefit cost (benefit) from Agilent	—			2		—			6		—			(6		)
	Total periodic benefit cost (benefit)	$	1		$	2	$	7		$	6	$	(7	)	$	(6	)
	We did not contribute to our U.S. Defined Benefit Plans during the three and six months ended April 30, 2015. Agilent contributed $15 million to the U.S. Defined Benefit Plans on our behalf for the three and six months ended April 30, 2014. There were no contributions made to the U.S. Post-Retirement Benefit Plan during the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014. We contributed $11 million and $25 million to our Non-U.S. Defined Benefit Plans during the three and six months ended April 30, 2015, respectively. Contributions of $10 million and $20 million to the Non-U.S. Defined Benefit Plans were made by Agilent on our behalf for 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 $20 million to our Non-U.S. Defined Benefit Plans during the remainder of 2015.
	Employees hired on or after August 1, 2015 will not be eligible to participate in the U.S. Defined Benefit Plans or the U.S. Post-Retirement Benefit Plan. We will provide matching contributions to these employees under the Keysight Technologies, Inc. 401(k) Plan up to a maximum of 6 percent of the employee's annual eligible compensation.

WARRANTIES_AND_CONTINGENCIES

WARRANTIES AND CONTINGENCIES	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
WARRANTIES AND CONTINGENCIES	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Standard Warranty
	Our standard warranty term for most of our products from the date of delivery is typically three years, which increased from one year in the second quarter of fiscal 2013. 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 related product revenue is recognized. Activity related to the standard warranty accrual, which is included in other accrued and other long-term liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheet, is as follows:
		Six Months Ended
		April 30,
		2015			2014
		(in millions)
	Beginning balance as of November 1	$	51		$	38
	Accruals for warranties including change in estimate	17			23
	Settlements made during the period	(16		)	(15		)
	Ending balance as of April 30	$	52		$	46
	Accruals for warranties due within one year	$	39		$	27
	Accruals for warranties due after one year	13			19
	Ending balance as of April 30	$	52		$	46
	Contingencies
	We are involved in lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings, including, but not limited to, patent, commercial and environmental matters, which arise in the ordinary course of business. There are no matters pending that we currently believe are reasonably possible of having a material impact to our business, combined and consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

DEBT_Notes

DEBT (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
DEBT	DEBT
	Short-Term Debt
	Credit Facility
	On September 15, 2014, we entered into a five year credit agreement, which provides for a $300 million unsecured credit facility that will expire on November 1, 2019. The company may use amounts borrowed under the facility for general corporate purposes. As of April 30, 2015, the company had no borrowings outstanding under the credit facility. We were in compliance with the covenants for the credit facility during the six months ended April 30, 2015.
	Long-Term Debt
	The following table summarizes the components of our long-term debt:
		30-Apr-15		October 31, 2014
		(in millions)
	3.30% Senior Notes due 2019	$	499	$	499
	4.55% Senior Notes due 2024	600		600
	Total	$	1,099	$	1,099
	The notes issued are unsecured and rank equally in right of payment with all of our other senior unsecured indebtedness. There have been no changes to the principal, maturity, interest rates and interest payment terms of the 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 fiscal year ended October 31, 2014.
	As of April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014, we had $18 million and $13 million, respectively, of outstanding letters of credit unrelated to the credit facility that were issued by various lenders.
	The fair value of our long-term debt, calculated from quoted prices that are primarily Level 1 inputs under the accounting guidance fair value hierarchy, exceeds the carrying value by approximately $20 million and $1 million as of April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014, respectively.

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component and related tax effects for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and April 30, 2014 were as follows:
								Net defined benefit pension cost and post retirement plan costs
		Unrealized gain on investments			Foreign currency translation			Actuarial losses			Prior service costs			Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives			Total
		(in millions)
	As of January 31, 2015	$	16		$	(27	)	$	(436	)	$	79		$	(1	)	$	(369	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	9			(1		)	—			—			3			11
	Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			—			11			(7		)	(1		)	3
	Tax (expense) benefit	(1		)	—			(3		)	3			(1		)	(2		)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	8			(1		)	8			(4		)	1			12
	As of April 30, 2015	$	24		$	(28	)	$	(428	)	$	75		$	—		$	(357	)
	As of October 31, 2014	$	16		$	6		$	(444	)	$	83		$	3		$	(336	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	9			(34		)	—			—			(2		)	(27		)
	Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			—			22			(14		)	(2		)	6
	Tax (expense) benefit	(1		)	—			(6		)	6			1			—
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	8			(34		)	16			(8		)	(3		)	(21		)
	As of April 30, 2015	$	24		$	(28	)	$	(428	)	$	75		$	—		$	(357	)
								Net defined benefit pension cost and post retirement plan costs
		Unrealized gain on investments			Foreign currency translation			Actuarial losses			Prior service costs			Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives			Total
		(in millions)
	As of January 31, 2014	$	3		$	14		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	17
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	3			2			—			—			—			5
	Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income	—			—			—			—			—			—
	Tax expense	(1		)	(1		)	—			—			—			(2		)
	Other comprehensive income	2			1			—			—			—			3
	As of April 30, 2014	$	5		$	15		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	20
	As of October 31, 2013	$	5		$	26		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	31
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	—			(11		)	—			—			—			(11		)
	Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income	—			—			—			—			—			—
	Tax (expense) benefit	—			—			—			—			—			—
	Other comprehensive loss	—			(11		)	—			—			—			(11		)
	As of April 30, 2014	$	5		$	15		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	20
	Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
	Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Components	Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss												Affected Line Item in Statement of Operations
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		April 30,						April 30,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
		(in millions)						(in millions)
	Unrealized gain on derivatives	$	1		$	—		$	2		$	—		Cost of products
		—			—			—			—			Provision for income taxes
		1			—			2			—			Net of income tax
	Net defined benefit pension cost and post retirement plan costs:
	Actuarial net loss	(11		)	—			(22		)	—
	Prior service benefit	7			—			14			—
		(4		)	—			(8		)	—			Total before income tax
		—			—			—			—			Provision for income taxes
		(4		)	—			(8		)	—			Net of income tax
	Total reclassifications for the period	$	(3	)	$	—		$	(6	)	$	—
	An amount in parentheses indicates a reduction to income and an increase to the accumulated other comprehensive income.
	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 11, "Retirement Plans and Post Retirement Pension Plans").

SEGMENT_INFORMATION

SEGMENT INFORMATION	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
SEGMENT INFORMATION	SEGMENT INFORMATION
	Description of segments. We provide core electronic measurement solutions to the communications and electronics industries.
	We have two reportable operating segments, measurement solutions and customer support and services. The two 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 two reportable segments is as follows:
	Our measurement solutions business provides electronic measurement instruments and systems with related software and software design tools that are used in the design, development, manufacture, installation, deployment and operation of electronics equipment. We provide startup assistance, consulting, optimization and application support throughout the customer's product lifecycle.
	The customer support and services business provides repair and calibration services for our installed base measurement solutions customers and facilitates the resale of used equipment. Our customer support and services business enables our customers to maximize the value from their electronic measurement equipment and strengthens customer loyalty. Providing these services assures a high level of instrument performance and availability while minimizing the cost of ownership and downtime.
	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 costs of centralized research and development, legal, accounting, real estate, insurance services, information technology services, treasury and other corporate infrastructure expenses. 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.
	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 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-related charges, share-based compensation expense, investment gains and losses, interest expense, acquisition and integration costs, separation-related costs, amortization of intangibles and other items as noted in the reconciliations below.
		Measurement Solutions			Customer Support and Services			Total Segments
		(in millions)
	Three Months Ended April 30, 2015:
	Total net revenue	$	638		$	102		$	740
	Segment income from operations	$	132		$	18		$	150
	Three Months Ended April 30, 2014:
	Total net revenue	$	640		$	103		$	743
	Segment income from operations	$	131		$	26		$	157
		Measurement Solutions			Customer Support and Services			Total Segments
		(in millions)
	Six Months Ended April 30, 2015:
	Total net revenue	$	1,244		$	197		$	1,441
	Segment income from operations	$	239		$	31		$	270
	Six Months Ended April 30, 2014:
	Total net revenue	$	1,214		$	200		$	1,414
	Segment income from operations	$	230		$	45		$	275
	The following table reconciles reportable segments’ income from operations to our total enterprise income before taxes:
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		April 30,						April 30,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
		(in millions)						(in millions)
	Total reportable segments' income from operations	$	150		$	157		$	270		$	275
	Share based compensation expense	(13		)	(10		)	(42		)	(27		)
	Restructuring-related costs	—			—			—			3
	Asset impairment	(2		)	—			(2		)	—
	Transformational programs	—			—			—			(1		)
	Amortization of intangibles	(2		)	(2		)	(4		)	(4		)
	Acquisition and integration costs	—			—			—			(1		)
	Separation costs	(5		)	(17		)	(12		)	(25		)
	Other	1			(1		)	—			(2		)
	Interest expense	(11		)	—			(23		)	—
	Other income (expense), net	4			1			13			2
	Income before taxes, as reported	$	122		$	128		$	200		$	220
	The following table presents assets directly managed by each segment. Unallocated assets primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents, investments, long-term and other receivables and other assets.
		Measurement Solutions			Customer Support and Services			Total
		(in millions)
	Assets:
	As of April 30, 2015	$	1,614		$	225		$	1,839
	As of October 31, 2014	$	1,740		$	236		$	1,976

TRANSACTIONS_WITH_AGILENT_Tabl

TRANSACTIONS WITH AGILENT (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Schedule of Related Party Transactions	Allocated costs included in the accompanying condensed combined and consolidated statement of operations are as follows:
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		April 30,				April 30,
		2015		2014		2015		2014
		(in millions)				(in millions)
	Cost of products and services	$	—	$	23	$	—	$	48
	Research and development	—		11		—		22
	Selling, general and administrative	—		73		—		139
	Other (income) expense, net	—		—		—		(1		)
	Total allocated costs	$	—	$	107	$	—	$	208

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 of share-based compensation on our results was as follows:
		Three Months Ended							Six Months Ended
		April 30,							April 30,
		2015			2014				2015			2014
		(in millions)
	Cost of products and services	$	4		$	3			$	8		$	7
	Research and development	2			1				6			4
	Selling, general and administrative	7			6				28			16
	Total share-based compensation expense	$	13		$	10			$	42		$	27
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 employee stock options and LTP Program grants.
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		April 30,					April 30,
		2015		2014			2015			2014
	Stock Option Plans:
	Weighted average risk-free interest rate	—		1.8	%		1.6	%		1.7	%
	Dividend yield	—		1	%		—	%		1	%
	Weighted average volatility	—		38	%		31	%		39	%
	Expected life	—		5.8 years			4.9 years			5.8 years
	LTP Program:
	Volatility of Keysight shares	26	%	NA			26	%		NA
	Volatility of selected peer-company shares	17%-67%		NA			17%-67%			NA
	Price-wise correlation with selected peers	38	%	NA			38	%		NA

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:
	Net income	$	96	$	110	$	166	$	184
	Denominator:
	Basic weighted-average shares(a)	169		167		168		167
	Potential common shares— stock options and other employee stock plans	2		—		3		—
	Diluted weighted-average shares(a)	171		167		171		167

INVENTORY_Tables

INVENTORY (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
INVENTORY
		April 30,		October 31,
		2015		2014
		(in millions)
	Finished goods	$	224	$	219
	Purchased parts and fabricated assemblies	252		279
	Total Inventory	$	476	$	498

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:
		Customer Support and Services			Measurement Solutions			Total
		(in millions)
	Goodwill as of October 31, 2014	$	55		$	337		$	392
	Foreign currency translation impact	(2		)	(12		)	(14		)
	Goodwill as of April 30, 2015	$	53		$	325		$	378
Components of other intangibles during the period
	The components of other intangible assets as of April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014 are shown in the table below:
		Other Intangible Assets
		Gross			Accumulated			Net Book
		Carrying			Amortization			Value
		Amount			and
					Impairments
		(in millions)
	As of October 31, 2014:
	Developed technology	$	125		$	114		$	11
	Backlog	4			4			—
	Trademark/Tradename	1			1			—
	Customer relationships	32			25			7
	Total	$	162		$	144		$	18
	As of April 30, 2015:
	Developed technology	$	125		$	117		$	8
	Backlog	4			4			—
	Trademark/Tradename	1			1			—
	Customer relationships	32			26			6
	Total	$	162		$	148		$	14

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)	$	713	$	713	$	—	$	—
	Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	10		—		10		—
	Long-term
	Trading securities	13		13		—		—
	Available-for-sale investments	43		43		—		—
	Total assets measured at fair value	$	779	$	769	$	10	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Short-term
	Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	$	4	$	—	$	4	$	—
	Long-term
	Deferred compensation liability	13		—		13		—
	Total liabilities measured at fair value	$	17	$	—	$	17	$	—
	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)	$	634	$	634	$	—	$	—
	Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	9		—		9		—
	Long-term
	Trading securities	13		13		—		—
	Available-for-sale investments	35		35		—		—
	Total assets measured at fair value	$	691	$	682	$	9	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Short-term
	Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	$	3	$	—	$	3	$	—
	Long-term
	Deferred compensation liability	13		—		13		—
	Total liabilities measured at fair value	$	16	$	—	$	16	$	—

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 in Cash Flow							Derivatives
			Hedging Relationships							Not
										Designated
										as Hedging
										Instruments
			Forward				Option			Forward
			Contracts				Contracts			Contracts
	Currency		Buy/(Sell)				Buy/(Sell)			Buy/(Sell)
			(in millions)
	Euro		$	—			$	—		$	66
	British Pound		—				—			38
	Singapore Dollar		9				—			(2		)
	Malaysian Ringgit		88				—			9
	Japanese Yen		(91		)		—			(2		)
	Other		(4		)		—			11
	Totals		$	2			$	—		$	120
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 condensed 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		$	5			$	7		Other accrued liabilities		$	3		$	1
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange contracts
	Other current assets		5				2			Other accrued liabilities		1			2
	Total derivatives		$	10			$	9				$	4		$	3
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 condensed combined and consolidated statement of operations were as follows:
		Three Months Ended							Six Months Ended
		April 30,							April 30,
		2015				2014			2015				2014
		(in millions)							(in millions)
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Cash Flow Hedges
	Foreign exchange contracts:
	Gain (loss) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income	$	3			$	—		$	(2	)		$	—
	Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into cost of products	$	1			$	—		$	2			$	—
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Gain (loss) recognized in other income (expense), net	$	2			$	—		$	(4	)		$	—

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]
Schedule of net pension and post-retirement benefit costs
		Pensions
		U.S. Defined Benefit Plans					Non-U.S. Defined Benefit					U.S. Post-Retirement
							Plans					Benefit Plan
		Six Months Ended April 30,
		2015			2014		2015			2014		2015			2014
		(in millions)
	Service cost—benefits earned during the period	$	11		$	—	$	9		$	—	$	1		$	—
	Interest cost on benefit obligation	10			—		21			—		4			—
	Expected return on plan assets	(19		)	—		(37		)	—		(7		)	—
	Amortization:
	Net actuarial losses	2			—		14			—		6			—
	Prior service credit	(3		)	—		—			—		(11		)	—
	Allocated benefit cost (benefit) from Agilent	—			2		—			6		—			(6		)
	Total periodic benefit cost (benefit)	$	1		$	2	$	7		$	6	$	(7	)	$	(6	)
	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. Defined Benefit Plans					Non-U.S. Defined Benefit					U.S. Post-Retirement
							Plans					Benefit Plan
		Three Months Ended April 30,
		2015			2014		2015			2014		2015			2014
		(in millions)
	Service cost—benefits earned during the period	$	6		$	—	$	5		$	—	$	1		$	—
	Interest cost on benefit obligation	5			—		10			—		2			—
	Expected return on plan assets	(10		)	—		(18		)	—		(3		)	—
	Amortization:
	Net actuarial losses	1			—		7			—		3			—
	Prior service credit	(1		)	—		—			—		(6		)	—
	Allocated benefit cost (benefit) from Agilent	—			1		—			3		—			(3		)
	Total periodic benefit cost (benefit)	$	1		$	1	$	4		$	3	$	(3	)	$	(3	)

WARRANTIES_AND_CONTINGENCIES_T

WARRANTIES AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Standard warranty	Activity related to the standard warranty accrual, which is included in other accrued and other long-term liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheet, is as follows:
		Six Months Ended
		April 30,
		2015			2014
		(in millions)
	Beginning balance as of November 1	$	51		$	38
	Accruals for warranties including change in estimate	17			23
	Settlements made during the period	(16		)	(15		)
	Ending balance as of April 30	$	52		$	46
	Accruals for warranties due within one year	$	39		$	27
	Accruals for warranties due after one year	13			19
	Ending balance as of April 30	$	52		$	46

DEBT_Tables

DEBT (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments	The following table summarizes the components of our long-term debt:
		30-Apr-15		October 31, 2014
		(in millions)
	3.30% Senior Notes due 2019	$	499	$	499
	4.55% Senior Notes due 2024	600		600
	Total	$	1,099	$	1,099

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY_Tables

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015												Apr. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)													Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component and related tax effects for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and April 30, 2014 were as follows:
																				Net defined benefit pension cost and post retirement plan costs
														Unrealized gain on investments			Foreign currency translation			Actuarial losses			Prior service costs			Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives			Total
														(in millions)
													As of January 31, 2015	$	16		$	(27	)	$	(436	)	$	79		$	(1	)	$	(369	)
													Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	9			(1		)	—			—			3			11
													Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			—			11			(7		)	(1		)	3
													Tax (expense) benefit	(1		)	—			(3		)	3			(1		)	(2		)
													Other comprehensive income (loss)	8			(1		)	8			(4		)	1			12
													As of April 30, 2015	$	24		$	(28	)	$	(428	)	$	75		$	—		$	(357	)
													As of October 31, 2014	$	16		$	6		$	(444	)	$	83		$	3		$	(336	)
													Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	9			(34		)	—			—			(2		)	(27		)
													Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			—			22			(14		)	(2		)	6
													Tax (expense) benefit	(1		)	—			(6		)	6			1			—
													Other comprehensive income (loss)	8			(34		)	16			(8		)	(3		)	(21		)
													As of April 30, 2015	$	24		$	(28	)	$	(428	)	$	75		$	—		$	(357	)
																				Net defined benefit pension cost and post retirement plan costs
														Unrealized gain on investments			Foreign currency translation			Actuarial losses			Prior service costs			Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives			Total
														(in millions)
													As of January 31, 2014	$	3		$	14		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	17
													Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	3			2			—			—			—			5
													Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income	—			—			—			—			—			—
													Tax expense	(1		)	(1		)	—			—			—			(2		)
													Other comprehensive income	2			1			—			—			—			3
													As of April 30, 2014	$	5		$	15		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	20
													As of October 31, 2013	$	5		$	26		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	31
													Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	—			(11		)	—			—			—			(11		)
													Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income	—			—			—			—			—			—
													Tax (expense) benefit	—			—			—			—			—			—
													Other comprehensive loss	—			(11		)	—			—			—			(11		)
													As of April 30, 2014	$	5		$	15		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	20
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three and six months ended April 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
	Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Components	Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss										Affected Line Item in Statement of Operations
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		April 30,					April 30,
		2015			2014		2015			2014
		(in millions)					(in millions)
	Unrealized gain on derivatives	$	1		$	—	$	2		$	—	Cost of products
		—			—		—			—		Provision for income taxes
		1			—		2			—		Net of income tax
	Net defined benefit pension cost and post retirement plan costs:
	Actuarial net loss	(11		)	—		(22		)	—
	Prior service benefit	7			—		14			—
		(4		)	—		(8		)	—		Total before income tax
		—			—		—			—		Provision for income taxes
		(4		)	—		(8		)	—		Net of income tax
	Total reclassifications for the period	$	(3	)	$	—	$	(6	)	$	—

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Tables

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Profitability and Segment Assets
		Measurement Solutions			Customer Support and Services			Total
		(in millions)
	Assets:
	As of April 30, 2015	$	1,614		$	225		$	1,839
	As of October 31, 2014	$	1,740		$	236		$	1,976
		Measurement Solutions			Customer Support and Services			Total Segments
		(in millions)
	Three Months Ended April 30, 2015:
	Total net revenue	$	638		$	102		$	740
	Segment income from operations	$	132		$	18		$	150
	Three Months Ended April 30, 2014:
	Total net revenue	$	640		$	103		$	743
	Segment income from operations	$	131		$	26		$	157
		Measurement Solutions			Customer Support and Services			Total Segments
		(in millions)
	Six Months Ended April 30, 2015:
	Total net revenue	$	1,244		$	197		$	1,441
	Segment income from operations	$	239		$	31		$	270
	Six Months Ended April 30, 2014:
	Total net revenue	$	1,214		$	200		$	1,414
	Segment income from operations	$	230		$	45		$	275
Reconciliation of segment results to total enterprise results	The following table reconciles reportable segments’ income from operations to our total enterprise income before taxes:
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		April 30,						April 30,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
		(in millions)						(in millions)
	Total reportable segments' income from operations	$	150		$	157		$	270		$	275
	Share based compensation expense	(13		)	(10		)	(42		)	(27		)
	Restructuring-related costs	—			—			—			3
	Asset impairment	(2		)	—			(2		)	—
	Transformational programs	—			—			—			(1		)
	Amortization of intangibles	(2		)	(2		)	(4		)	(4		)
	Acquisition and integration costs	—			—			—			(1		)
	Separation costs	(5		)	(17		)	(12		)	(25		)
	Other	1			(1		)	—			(2		)
	Interest expense	(11		)	—			(23		)	—
	Other income (expense), net	4			1			13			2
	Income before taxes, as reported	$	122		$	128		$	200		$	220

OVERVIEW_BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION1

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
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Separation-related costs	$5	$17	$12	$25

TRANSACTIONS_WITH_AGILENT_Allo

TRANSACTIONS WITH AGILENT Allocated Cost (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
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	$0	$107	$0	$208
Cost of products and services
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	0	23	0	48
Research and development
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	0	11	0	22
Selling, general and administrative
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	0	73	0	139
Other (income) expense, net
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	$0	$0	$0	($1)

TRANSACTIONS_WITH_AGILENT_TRAN

TRANSACTIONS WITH AGILENT TRANSACTIONS WITH AGILENT - REDUCTION IN PAYABLES TO AGILENT (Details) (Agilent, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015
Agilent
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Reduction in payable to Agilent	$25

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
Share-based Compensation, Allocation and Classification in Financial Statements [Abstract]
Share-based compensation expense	$13	$10	$42	$27
Windfall tax benefit realized	0	0	3	0
Share-based compensation capitalized within inventory	0	0	0	0
Share based compensation expense- Inaugral Stock Units	1	0	15	0
Cost of products and services
Share-based Compensation, Allocation and Classification in Financial Statements [Abstract]
Share-based compensation expense	4	3	8	7
Research and Development Expense [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Allocation and Classification in Financial Statements [Abstract]
Share-based compensation expense	2	1	6	4
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Allocation and Classification in Financial Statements [Abstract]
Share-based compensation expense	$7	$6	$28	$16

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 [Line Items]
ESPP plan purchase price (in hundredths)	85.00%	85.00%	85.00%	85.00%
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average risk-free interest rate (in hundredths)	0.00%	1.80%	1.60%	1.70%
Dividend yield	0.00%	1.00%	0.00%	1.00%
Weighted average volatility (in hundredths)	0.00%	38.00%	31.00%	39.00%
Expected life (in years)	0 years 0 months 0 days 0 hours 0 minutes 1 second	5 years 10 months	4 years 11 months	5 years 10 months
LTPP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Volatility of Keysight shares (in hundredths)	26.00%		26.00%
Volatility of selected peer-company shares minimum (in hundredths)	17.00%		17.00%
Volatility of selected peer-company shares maximum (in hundredths)	67.00%		67.00%
Price-wise correlation with selected peers (in hundredths)	38.00%		38.00%

INCOME_TAXES_SEPARATION_DAY_TA

INCOME TAXES SEPARATION DAY TAX ADJUSTMENTS (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
SEPARATION DAY: Decline in Deferred Tax Asset,Net Current	$6
SEPARATION DAY: Decline in Deferred Tax Asset, Net Non-Current	35
SEPARATION DAY: Increase in Deferred Tax Liability, Net Non- Current	2
SEPARATION DAY: Adjustment Tax Attributes	83
SEPARATION DAY: Adjustment Unremitted Foreign Earnings	$53

INCOME_TAXES_Details

INCOME TAXES (Details) (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
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$26	$18	$34	$36
Return to provision tax expense	21
Income Tax Holiday, Income Tax Benefits Per Share	$0.12
Net Discrete Tax Benefit	6
Discrete Tax, Net Income Benefit per share	$0.03
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent	21.70%	14.10%	17.20%	16.40%
Net Discrete Tax expense (Benefit)	3	3	-7	12
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$26	$18	$34	$36

NET_INCOME_PER_SHARE_NET_INCOM

NET INCOME PER SHARE NET INCOME PER SHARE - COMPUTATIONS (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
Numerator:
Net Income	$96	$110	$166	$184
Denominators:
Basic weighted-average shares (in shares)	169	167	168	167
Potentially dilutive common shares equivalents - stock options and other employee stock plans (in shares)	2	0	3	0
Diluted weighted average shares (in shares)	171	167	171	167

NET_INCOME_PER_SHARE_NET_INCOM1

NET INCOME PER SHARE NET INCOME PER SHARE - SHARES DISTRIBUTION BY AGILENT (Details)	Nov. 01, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Stock Issued During Period Shares Issued In Connection With Separation	167

NET_INCOME_PER_SHARE_Details

NET INCOME PER SHARE (Details)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015
Options with exercise price greater than average market price [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from EPS Computation
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0	0
Stock Options, ESPP, LTPP and restricted stock combined exercise price, unamortized fair value, excess tax benefits or shortfalls greater than average market price [Member] [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from EPS Computation
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	13,600	23,200

INVENTORY_Details

INVENTORY (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 30, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Finished goods	$224	$219
Purchased parts and fabricated assemblies	252	279
Inventory	$476	$498

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	Oct. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill beginning balance		$392
Goodwill ending balance	378	392
Customer Support and Services
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill beginning balance	55
Foreign currency translation impact	-2
Goodwill ending balance	53
Measurement Solutions
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill beginning balance	337
Foreign currency translation impact	-12
Goodwill ending balance	325
Total
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill beginning balance	392
Foreign currency translation impact	-14
Goodwill ending balance	$378

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 [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount	$162	$162
Accumulated Amortization and Impairments	148	144
Net Book Value	14	18
Developed technology
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount	125	125
Accumulated Amortization and Impairments	117	114
Net Book Value	8	11
Backlog
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount	4	4
Accumulated Amortization and Impairments	4	4
Net Book Value	0	0
Trademark/Tradename
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount	1	1
Accumulated Amortization and Impairments	1	1
Net Book Value	0	0
Customer relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount	32	32
Accumulated Amortization and Impairments	26	25
Net Book Value	$6	$7

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_4

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS 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
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Additions to goodwill	$0	$0	$0	$0
Additions to other intangible assets	0	0	0	0
Amortization of other intangible assets	2	2	4	4
Impact to other intangibles due to Translation	$0	$0	$0	$0

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]
Remainder of 2015	$4
2016	6
2017	3
2018	1
Thereafter	$0

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Fair_v

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring, USD $)	Apr. 30, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets Short - term [Abstract]
Cash equivalents (money market funds)	$713	$634
Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	10	9
Assets, Long-term [Abstract]
Trading securities	13	13
Available-for-sale investments	43	35
Total assets measured at fair value	779	691
Liabilities, Short-term [Abstract]
Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	4	3
Liabilities Long-term [Abstract]
Deferred compensation liability	13	13
Total liabilities measured at fair value	17	16
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Assets Short - term [Abstract]
Cash equivalents (money market funds)	713	634
Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	0	0
Assets, Long-term [Abstract]
Trading securities	13	13
Available-for-sale investments	43	35
Total assets measured at fair value	769	682
Liabilities, Short-term [Abstract]
Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	0	0
Liabilities Long-term [Abstract]
Deferred compensation liability	0	0
Total liabilities measured at fair value	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Assets Short - term [Abstract]
Cash equivalents (money market funds)	0	0
Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	10	9
Assets, Long-term [Abstract]
Trading securities	0	0
Available-for-sale investments	0	0
Total assets measured at fair value	10	9
Liabilities, Short-term [Abstract]
Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	4	3
Liabilities Long-term [Abstract]
Deferred compensation liability	13	13
Total liabilities measured at fair value	17	16
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets Short - term [Abstract]
Cash equivalents (money market funds)	0	0
Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	0	0
Assets, Long-term [Abstract]
Trading securities	0	0
Available-for-sale investments	0	0
Total assets measured at fair value	0	0
Liabilities, Short-term [Abstract]
Derivative instruments (foreign exchange contracts)	0	0
Liabilities Long-term [Abstract]
Deferred compensation liability	0	0
Total liabilities measured at fair value	$0	$0

DERIVATIVES_Details

DERIVATIVES (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 30, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	contracts
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure
Derivative, Net Liability Position, Aggregate Fair Value	$2
Derivative Contracts [Abstract]
Foreign exchange forward contracts designated as cash flow hedge (in units)	64
Foreign exchange forward contracts not designated as hedges (in units)	80

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
Cash Flow Hedging | Forward Contracts Buy/(Sell)
Derivative [Line Items]
Total notional amount	$2
Cash Flow Hedging | Option Contracts Buy/(Sell)
Derivative [Line Items]
Total notional amount	0
Sell | Euro | Cash Flow Hedging | Forward Contracts Buy/(Sell)
Derivative [Line Items]
Total notional amount	0
Sell | British Pound | Cash Flow Hedging | Forward Contracts Buy/(Sell)
Derivative [Line Items]
Total notional amount	0
Sell | Singapore Dollar | Cash Flow Hedging | Forward Contracts Buy/(Sell)
Derivative [Line Items]
Total notional amount	9
Sell | Japanese Yen | Cash Flow Hedging | Forward Contracts Buy/(Sell)
Derivative [Line Items]
Total notional amount	-91
Sell | Japanese Yen | Cash Flow Hedging | Option Contracts Buy/(Sell)
Derivative [Line Items]
Total notional amount	0
Sell | Other | Cash Flow Hedging | Forward Contracts Buy/(Sell)
Derivative [Line Items]
Total notional amount	-4
Buy | Malaysian Ringgit | Cash Flow Hedging | Forward Contracts Buy/(Sell)
Derivative [Line Items]
Total notional amount	88
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | Forward Contracts Buy/(Sell)
Derivative [Line Items]
Total notional amount	120
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | Sell | Japanese Yen | Forward Contracts Buy/(Sell)
Derivative [Line Items]
Total notional amount	-2
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | Sell | Other | Forward Contracts Buy/(Sell)
Derivative [Line Items]
Total notional amount	11
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | Buy | Euro | Forward Contracts Buy/(Sell)
Derivative [Line Items]
Total notional amount	66
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | Buy | British Pound | Forward Contracts Buy/(Sell)
Derivative [Line Items]
Total notional amount	38
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | Buy | Singapore Dollar | Forward Contracts Buy/(Sell)
Derivative [Line Items]
Total notional amount	-2
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | Buy | Malaysian Ringgit | Forward Contracts Buy/(Sell)
Derivative [Line Items]
Total notional amount	$9

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 [Abstract]
Total derivatives Asset	$10	$9
Total derivatives Liabilities	4	3
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments | Cash Flow Hedging | Foreign Exchange Contracts | Other Current Assets
Derivative Fair Value by Balance Sheet Location [Abstract]
Total derivatives Asset	5	7
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments | Cash Flow Hedging | Foreign Exchange Contracts | Other Accrued Liabilities
Derivative Fair Value by Balance Sheet Location [Abstract]
Total derivatives Liabilities	3	1
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | Foreign Exchange Contracts | Other Current Assets
Derivative Fair Value by Balance Sheet Location [Abstract]
Total derivatives Asset	5	2
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | Foreign Exchange Contracts | Other Accrued Liabilities
Derivative Fair Value by Balance Sheet Location [Abstract]
Total derivatives Liabilities	$1	$2

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
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain (loss) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income	$3	$0	($2)	$0
Cash Flow Hedging | Cost of products and services
Derivative [Line Items]
Cash Flow Hedge (Gain) Loss to be Reclassified within Twelve Months	1
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments | Cash Flow Hedging | Foreign Exchange Contracts | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain (loss) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income	3	0	-2	0
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments | Cash Flow Hedging | Foreign Exchange Contracts | Cost of products and services
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into cost of sales	1	0	2	0
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments | Other (income) expense, net
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain (loss) recognized in other income (expense)	$2	$0	($4)	$0

RETIREMENT_PLANS_AND_POST_RETI2

RETIREMENT PLANS AND POST RETIREMENT PENSION PLANS (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
U.S. Defined Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Service costbbenefits earned during the period	$6	$0	$11	$0
Interest cost on benefit obligation	5	0	10	0
Expected return on plan assets	-10	0	-19	0
Amortization:
Net actuarial losses	1	0	2	0
Prior service credit	-1	0	-3	0
Allocated benefit cost (benefit) from Agilent	0	1	0	2
Total periodic benefit cost (benefit)	1	1	1	2
Non-U.S. Defined Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Service costbbenefits earned during the period	5	0	9	0
Interest cost on benefit obligation	10	0	21	0
Expected return on plan assets	-18	0	-37	0
Amortization:
Net actuarial losses	7	0	14	0
Prior service credit	0	0	0	0
Allocated benefit cost (benefit) from Agilent	0	3	0	6
Total periodic benefit cost (benefit)	4	3	7	6
U.S. Post-Retirement Benefit Plan
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Service costbbenefits earned during the period	1	0	1	0
Interest cost on benefit obligation	2	0	4	0
Expected return on plan assets	-3	0	-7	0
Amortization:
Net actuarial losses	3	0	6	0
Prior service credit	-6	0	-11	0
Allocated benefit cost (benefit) from Agilent	0	-3	0	-6
Total periodic benefit cost (benefit)	($3)	($3)	($7)	($6)

RETIREMENT_PLANS_AND_POST_RETI3

RETIREMENT PLANS AND POST RETIREMENT PENSION PLANS (Details) (Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2014
U.S. Defined Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contributions by employer	$0	$0	$0	$0
Estimated future employer contributions in remainder of current fiscal year			0
U.S. Post-Retirement Benefit Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contributions by employer	0	0	0	0
Non-U.S. Defined Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contributions by employer	11,000,000	10,000,000	25,000,000	20,000,000
Estimated future employer contributions in remainder of current fiscal year			$20,000,000

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 [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance at beginning of period	$51	$38
Accruals for warranties including change in estimate	17	23
Settlements made during the period	-16	-15
Ending balance at end of period	52	46
Standard Product Warranty Disclosure [Abstract]
Accruals for warranties due within one year	39	27
Accruals for warranties due after one year	13	19
Ending balance at end of period	$52	$46

DEBT_Credit_Facility_Details

DEBT Credit Facility (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015
Credit Facility Disclosure [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Initiation Date	15-Sep-14
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$300
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date	1-Nov-19

DEBT_Long_Term_Debt_Details

DEBT Long Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letters of credit outstanding, amount	$18	$13
Long term debt fair value over carrying value	20	1
3.30% Senior Notes due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	499	499
4.55% Senior Notes due 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	600	600
Total
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$1,099	$1,099

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
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	($369)	$17	($336)	$31
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	11	5	-27	-11
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income	3	0	6	0
Tax (expense) benefit	-2	-2	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	12	3	-21	-11
Ending balance	-357	20	-357	20
Unrealized gain on investments [Abstract]
Beginning balance	16	3	16	5
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	9	3	9	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, before Tax	0	0	0	0
Tax (expense) benefit	-1	-1	-1	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	8	2	8	0
Ending balance	24	5	24	5
Foreign currency translation [Abstract]
Beginning balance	-27	14	6	26
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-1	2	-34	-11
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Tax (expense) benefit	0	-1	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-1	1	-34	-11
Ending balance	-28	15	-28	15
Prior service credits [Abstract]
Beginning balance	79	0	83	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0	0	0	0
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income	-7	0	-14	0
Tax (expense) benefit	-3	0	-6	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-4	0	-8	0
Ending balance	75	0	75	0
Actuarial Losses [Abstract]
Beginning balance	-436	0	-444	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0	0	0	0
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income	-11	0	-22	0
Tax (expense) benefit	3	0	6	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	8	0	16	0
Ending balance	-428	0	-428	0
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives [Abstract]
Beginning balance	-1	0	3	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	3	0	-2	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, before Tax	-1	0	-2	0
Tax (expense) benefit	-1	0	1	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1	0	-3	0
Ending balance	$0	$0	$0	$0

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
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Unrealized gains and (losses) on derivatives reclassified to cost of products	$1	$0	$2	$0
Reclassification of (gains) and losses into earnings related to derivative instruments, tax	0	0	0	0
Unrealized gains and (losses) on derivatives reclassified to cost of products, net of tax	1	0	2	0
Actuarial net loss	-11	0	-22	0
Prior service benefit	7	0	14	0
Actuarial net loss and prior service benefit reclassified, before tax	-4	0	-8	0
Tax on actuarial net loss and prior service benefit reclassified	0	0	0	0
Actuarial net loss and prior service benefit reclassified, net of tax	-4	0	-8	0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	($3)	$0	($6)	$0

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 Information [Line Items]
Total net revenue	$740	$743	$1,441	$1,414
Segment income from operations	128	127	209	218
Measurement Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net revenue	638	640	1,244	1,214
Segment income from operations	132	131	239	230
Customer Support and Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net revenue	102	103	197	200
Segment income from operations	18	26	31	45
Total
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment income from operations	$150	$157	$270	$275

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 [Abstract]
Total reportable segments' income from operations	$150	$157	$270	$275
Share based compensation expense	-13	-10	-42	-27
Restructuring-related costs	0	0	0	3
Asset impairment	-2	0	-2	0
Transformational programs	0	0	0	-1
Amortization of intangibles	-2	-2	-4	-4
Acquisition and integration costs	0	0	0	-1
Separation costs	-5	-17	-12	-25
Other	1	-1	0	-2
Interest expense	-11	0	-23	0
Other income (expense), net	4	1	13	2
Income before taxes, as reported	$122	$128	$200	$220

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Segment_As

SEGMENT INFORMATION Segment Assets (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 30, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$3,061	$3,050
Measurement Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	1,614	1,740
Customer Support and Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	225	236
Total
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$1,839	$1,976