Document and Entity Information Document Information [Table] Document Information [Line Items] Document and Entity Information Document Type Document Annual Report Document Transition Report Document Period End Date Entity File Number Entity Registrant Name Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, Postal Zip Code City Area Code Local Phone Number Title of 12(b) Security Security Exchange Name Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Filer Category Entity Small Business Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Shell Company Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Public Float Trading Symbol Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Amendment Flag Consolidated Statement of Earnings Statement [Table] Statement Statement Quarterly Results Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax 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 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 Operating Earnings Interest Expense. Interest expense Investment Income, Interest Interest income Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax Net foreign exchange (gain) loss Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt Debt extinguishment costs Loss on extinguishment of debt Loss on extinguishment of debt Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other (income) expense, net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Pre-tax loss Earnings from Continuing Operations 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 from Continuing Operations Earnings from Continuing Operations Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net 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 Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net Earnings 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 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 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 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 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 gain (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 $(238) in 2019, $47 in 2018 and $(61) in 2017 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 $(76) in 2017 Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), after Reclassification and Tax, Parent Net (losses) gains on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, net of taxes of $(17) in 2019, $50 in 2018 and $(43) in 2017 Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Other comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive Income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Supplemental Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) 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 (costs) and credits Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax Cumulative unrealized (losses) gains on marketable equity securities AOCI, Cash Flow Hedge, Cumulative Gain (Loss), after Tax Cumulative (losses) gains on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 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), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), after Reclassification, 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: Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net earnings Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash from operating activities - Depreciation Depreciation Amortization of Intangible Assets Amortization of intangible assets Share-based Compensation Share-based compensation Amount of amortization of inventory step-up. Amortization of Inventory Step Up Amortization of inventory step-up The net gain (loss) on investing and financing activities during the reporting period. Investing and Financing Gains (Losses), Net Investing and financing losses, net Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs and Discounts Amortization of bridge financing fees Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business Gains on sale of businesses Gain or loss on sale Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains 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 The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of a business, net of the cash acquired from the purchase, and research and development assets. Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired, And Research and Development in Process Acquisitions of businesses and technologies, net of cash acquired Proceeds from Sales of Business, Affiliate and Productive Assets Proceeds from business dispositions Proceeds from Sale of Long-term Investments Proceeds from the sale of Mylan N.V. shares Payments to Acquire Marketable Securities Purchases of investment securities 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 Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt designated as a hedge of the net investment in a foreign subsidiary Repayments of Long-term Debt Repayments of long-term debt and debt with maturities over 3 months Payments for Repurchase of Preferred Stock and Preference Stock Purchase of Alere preferred stock 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 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, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Including Disposal Group and Discontinued Operations Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Supplemental Cash Flow Information: Income Taxes Paid, Net Income taxes paid Interest Paid, Net Interest paid Consolidated Balance Sheet Assets [Abstract] Assets Assets, Current [Abstract] Current assets: Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents Short-term Investments Investments, primarily bank time deposits and U.S. treasury bills Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Trade receivables, less allowances of - 2019: $384; 2018: $314 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 Amount of asset related to consideration paid in advance for costs that provide economic benefits in future periods, and amount of other receivables that are expected to be realized within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Prepaid Expense and Other Receivables Other prepaid expenses and receivables Assets, Current Total current assets Long-term Investments Investments 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 Assets Total Assets Total Assets Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Liabilities and Shareholders' Investment Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Current liabilities: Short-term Debt Short-term borrowings Short-term debt outstanding 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 Income taxes payable Long-term Debt, Current Maturities Current portion of long-term debt Less: Current portion Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Long-term debt Total long-term portion Amount of Post-employment obligations and amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences, after deferred tax asset, and other liabilities expected to be paid after one year or operating cycle, if longer. Post-employment Obligations, Deferred Income Taxes and Other Long-term Liabilities Post-employment obligations and other long-term liabilities Total 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: 2019: 1,976,855,085; 2018: 1,971,189,465 Treasury Stock, Common, Value Common shares held in treasury, at cost - Shares: 2019: 214,351,838; 2018: 215,570,043 Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Earnings employed in the business Retained earnings Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent End of the period Beginning of the period 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 Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Investment Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Units, Net of Forfeitures Issued under incentive stock programs Stock Issued During Period, Value, Acquisitions Issued for St. Jude Medical acquisition 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 Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption Impact of adoption of new accounting standards 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 Business dispositions Dividends, Common Stock, Cash Cash dividends declared on common shares 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 Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain]