Document and Entity Information Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Statement Quarterly Results Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Consolidated Statement of Earnings Revenue, Net Net Sales Net Sales to External Customers Cost of Goods Sold Cost of products sold, excluding amortization of intangible assets The aggregate expense (excluding discontinued operations) charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method. Amortization of Intangible Assets Excluding Discontinued Operations Amortization of intangible assets Amortization of intangible assets Research and Development Expense (Excluding Acquired in Process Cost) Research and development Selling, General and Administrative Expense. Selling, general and administrative Costs and Expenses Total Operating Cost and Expenses Operating Income (Loss) Operating Earnings Operating Earnings Interest Expense. Interest expense Investment Income, Interest Interest income Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt Net loss on extinguishment of debt Net loss on extinguishment of debt Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax Net foreign exchange (gain) loss Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other (income) expense, net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Earnings from Continuing Operations Before Taxes Earnings (loss) before taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Taxes on Earnings from Continuing Operations Total Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Earnings (Loss) from Continuing Operations Earnings from Continuing Operations Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation During Phase-out Period, Net of Tax Earnings from Discontinued Operations, net of taxes Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax Gain on sale of Discontinued Operations, net of taxes After tax Gain Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net Earnings from Discontinued Operations, net of taxes Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net Earnings (Loss) Net Earnings Net earnings Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract] Basic Earnings Per Common Share -- Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share Continuing Operations (in dollars per share) Basic Earnings (Loss) per Common Share Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations and Disposal of Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic Share Discontinued Operations (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (in dollars per share) Net Earnings (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract] Diluted Earnings Per Common Share -- Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share Continuing Operations (in dollars per share) Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Common Share Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations and Disposal of Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share Discontinued Operations (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (in dollars per share) Net Earnings (in dollars per share) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding Used for Basic Earnings Per Common Share (in shares) Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements Dilutive Common Stock Options (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding Plus Dilutive Common Stock Options (in shares) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Outstanding Common Stock Options Having No Dilutive Effect (in shares) Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Foreign currency translation (loss) adjustments Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Net actuarial gains (losses) and prior service cost and credits and amortization of net actuarial losses and prior service cost and credits, net of taxes of $(125) in 2016, $101 in 2015 and $(459) in 2014 Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable equity securities, net of taxes of $(28) in 2016, $104 in 2015 and $(7) in 2014 Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Net (losses) gains on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, net of taxes of $(4) in 2016, $(9) in 2015 and $24 in 2014 Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Other comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive Income (Loss) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Supplemental Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Information, net of tax as of December 31: Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Cumulative foreign currency translation (loss) adjustments Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net of Tax Net actuarial (losses) and prior service (cost) and credits Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax Cumulative unrealized (losses) gains on marketable equity securities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax Cumulative gains on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Tax Net actuarial gains (losses) and prior service cost and credits and amortization of net actuarial losses and prior service cost and credits, taxes Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Tax Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable equity securities, taxes Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Tax Net (losses) gains on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, taxes Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Cash Flow From (Used in) Operating Activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile earnings to net cash from operating activities - Depreciation Depreciation Amortization of Intangible Assets Amortization of intangible assets Share-based Compensation Share-based compensation Foreign Currency Transaction Loss, before Tax Foreign currency exchange loss on remeasurement Impact of currency devaluation The net gain (loss) on investing and financing activities during the reporting period. Investing and Financing Gains (Losses), Net Investing and financing (gains) losses, net Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs and Discounts Amortization of bridge financing fees Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) from Disposal of Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax Gain on sale of discontinued operations Pretax gain Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment Mylan N.V. equity investment adjustment Gain (Loss) on Sale of Equity Investments Gain on sale of Mylan N.V. shares Gain on sale of Mylan shares Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Trade receivables Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Prepaid expenses and other assets Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Trade accounts payable and other liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Payable Income taxes Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net Cash From Operating Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Cash Flow From (Used in) Investing Activities: Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Acquisitions of property and equipment Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Acquisitions of businesses and technologies, net of cash acquired Net cash paid, net of cash on hand of acquired company Proceeds from Sales of Business, Affiliate and Productive Assets Proceeds from business dispositions Proceeds from Sale of Equity Method Investments Proceeds from the sale of Mylan N.V. shares Payments to Acquire Marketable Securities Purchases of investment securities Payments for (Proceeds from) Investments Proceeds from sales of investment securities Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Other Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net Cash From (Used in) Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Cash Flow From (Used in) Financing Activities: Proceeds from (Repayments of) Short-term Debt Proceeds from issuance of (repayments of) short-term debt and other Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt and debt with maturities over 3 months Repayments of Long-term Debt Repayments of long-term debt and debt with maturities over 3 months Payments of Financing Costs Payment of bridge financing fees Represents the amount of cash paid for the contingent consideration and other consideration arrangement. Business Acquisition Contingent Consideration and Other Consideration Cash Paid Acquisition and contingent consideration payments related to business acquisitions Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Purchases of common shares Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Proceeds from stock options exercised, including income tax benefit Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock Dividends paid Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net Cash From (Used in) Financing Activities Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year Cash and cash equivalents Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Supplemental Cash Flow Information: Income Taxes Paid Income taxes paid Interest Paid Interest paid Consolidated Balance Sheet Assets [Abstract] Assets Assets, Current [Abstract] Current Assets: Short-term Investments Investments, primarily bank time deposits and U.S. treasury bills Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Trade receivables, less allowances of - 2016: $250; 2015: $337 Inventory, Net [Abstract] Inventories: Inventory, Finished Goods, Net of Reserves Finished products Inventory, Work in Process, Net of Reserves Work in process Inventory, Raw Materials, Net of Reserves Materials Inventory, Net Total inventories Other Assets, Current Other prepaid expenses and receivables Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current Current assets held for disposition Current assets held for disposition Assets, Current Total Current Assets Long-term Investments Investments Securities Long-term Investments Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross [Abstract] Property and Equipment, at Cost: Land Land Buildings and Improvements, Gross Buildings Machinery and Equipment, Gross Equipment Construction in Progress, Gross Construction in progress Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Property and Equipment, at cost Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Net Property and Equipment Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Intangible Assets, net of amortization Goodwill Goodwill Goodwill, non-deductible Deferred Income Taxes and Other Assets, Noncurrent Deferred Income Taxes and Other Assets Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Other Noncurrent Assets Non-current Assets Held for Disposition Assets Total Assets Total Assets Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Liabilities and Shareholders' Investment Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Current Liabilities: Short-term Debt Short-term borrowings Accounts Payable, Trade, Current Trade accounts payable Employee-related Liabilities, Current Salaries, wages and commissions Other Accrued Liabilities, Current Other accrued liabilities Total Dividends Payable, Current Dividends payable Accrued Income Taxes, Current Income taxes payable Long-term Debt, Current Maturities Current portion of long-term debt Current maturities of long-term debt Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current Current liabilities held for disposition Current liabilities held for disposition Liabilities, Current Total Current Liabilities Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Long-term Debt Total, net of current maturities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Post-employment Obligations and other long-term liabilities Total Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent Non-current liabilities held for disposition Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Shareholders' Investment: Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Preferred shares, one dollar par value Authorized - 1,000,000 shares, none issued Common Stock, Value, Issued Common shares, without par value Authorized - 2,400,000,000 shares Issued at stated capital amount - Shares: 2016: 1,707,475,455; 2015: 1,702,017,390 Treasury Stock, Common, Value Common shares held in treasury, at cost - Shares: 2016: 234,606,250; 2015: 229,352,338 Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Earnings employed in the business Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent End of Year Beginning of Year Total Abbott Shareholders' Investment Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest End of Year Beginning of Year Total Shareholders' Investment Liabilities and Equity Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Investment Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Trade receivables, allowances (in dollars) Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred shares, par value (in dollars per share) Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred shares, Authorized shares Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Preferred shares, issued shares Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common shares, Authorized shares Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common shares, Issued shares Treasury Stock, Common, Shares Common shares held in treasury, shares Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Investment Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Common Stock [Member] Common Shares: Retained Earnings [Member] Earnings Employed in the Business: Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss): Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries: Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Investment Stock Issued During Period, Value, Employee Stock Purchase Plan Issued under incentive stock programs Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures Share-based compensation Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures Issuance of restricted stock awards Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method Purchased Represents the amount from discontinued operation after tax, before reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss). Other Comprehensive Income (loss) from Disposition of Discontinued Operations before Reclassifications Net of Tax Impact of business dispositions Business dispositions / separation Dividends, Common Stock, Cash Cash dividends declared on common shares (per share - 2016: $1.045; 2015: $0.98; 2014: $0.90) This element represents the effect on retained earning due to common and treasury stock transactions. Effect of Common and Treasury Share Transactions Effect of common and treasury share transactions This element represent Noncontrolling Interests' share of income, net of distributions, share repurchases and business combinations. Noncontrolling Interests Share of Income Net of Distributions and Share Repurchases and Business Combinations Noncontrolling Interests' share of income, business combinations, net of distributions and share repurchases Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding End of Year (in shares) Beginning of Year (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans Issued under incentive stock programs (in shares) Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired Purchased (in shares) Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Cash dividends declared on common shares (in dollars per share) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Discontinued Operations Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block] Discontinued Operations No definition available. Assets and Liabilities Held for Disposition The entire disclosure for assets and liabilities held for disposition. Assets and Liabilities Held for Disposition [ Text Block ] Assets and Liabilities Held for Disposition Supplemental Financial Information Additional Financial Information Disclosure [Text Block] Supplemental Financial Information Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Business Acquisitions