Debt (Details 5) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended						12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended			12 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2013	Oct. 27, 2012	Jan. 28, 2012	Oct. 29, 2011	Jul. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011	Feb. 02, 2013 Maximum LIBOR	Feb. 02, 2013 Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility - Same day borrowings LIBOR	Feb. 02, 2013 Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility - Same day borrowings Base rate using LIBOR	Feb. 02, 2013 Standby letters of credit	Feb. 02, 2013 Restated Revolving Credit Facility	Sep. 17, 2012 Restated Revolving Credit Facility	Jan. 28, 2012 Restated Revolving Credit Facility	Feb. 02, 2013 Restated Revolving Credit Facility LIBOR	Feb. 02, 2013 Restated Revolving Credit Facility Base rate	Feb. 02, 2013 Restated Revolving Credit Facility Base rate using LIBOR	Feb. 02, 2013 Restated Revolving Credit Facility Prime rate of Wells Fargo	Feb. 02, 2013 Restated Revolving Credit Facility Federal funds effective rate	Feb. 02, 2013 Restated Revolving Credit Facility LIBOR rate	Feb. 02, 2013 Restated Revolving Credit Facility Minimum	Feb. 02, 2013 Restated Revolving Credit Facility Maximum
Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility
Maximum borrowing capacity															$ 650
Percentage of eligible credit card receivables and debit card receivables to determine borrowing base														90.00%
Percentage of appraised net orderly liquidation value of eligible inventory to determine borrowing base														90.00%
Percentage of appraised net orderly liquidation value of eligible inventory and eligible letters of credit to determine borrowing base														90.00%
Percentage of face value of eligible letters of credit supported by eligible letters of credit to determine borrowing base														90.00%
Maximum borrowing capacity, optional additional commitments														200
Maximum borrowing capacity once expanded														850
Variable interest rate basis, reference rate												LIBOR								prime rate of Wells Fargo	federal funds effective rate	LIBOR
Margin added to reference rate for the variable interest rate basis																			1.00%	0.75%	0.50%	1.75%
Variable interest rate basis											LIBOR						LIBOR	base rate
Basis spread on variable interest rate basis (as a percent)										2.75%
Initial commitment fee on the unutilized commitments (as a percent)														0.375%
Average daily excess availability as a percentage of total commitments for lower commitment fee on the unutilized commitments														50.00%
Commitment fee on the unutilized commitments if average daily excess availability is less than or equal to the specified percentage														0.25%
Average daily excess availability as a percentage of total commitments for higher commitment fee on the unutilized commitments														50.00%
Commitment fee on the unutilized commitments if average daily excess availability is greater than the specified percentage														0.375%
Excess availability as a percentage of loan cap for repayment of outstanding loans																								12.50%
Period of excess availability as a percentage of loan cap for repayment of outstanding loans														5 days
Excess availability for repayment of outstanding loans														65
Excess availability as a percentage of loan cap for maintaining specified consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio																								10.00%
Excess availability for maintaining specified consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio																								50
Excess availability as a percentage of loan cap for specified period for maintaining specified consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio																							10.00%
Excess availability for specified period for maintaining specified consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio																							50
Period of excess availability as a percentage of loan cap for maintaining specified consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio														30 days
Consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio required to be maintained																							1.00%
Loss related to the early extinguishment of the repurchased notes	30	3	2	1	4	11	33	18	53					2
Debt issuance costs that are being amortized as interest expense	100						100							4
Unamortized debt issuance costs to be amortized over the revised life														7
Borrowing base amount														650		670
Availability of borrowings														587		615
Outstanding letters of credit													$ 62	$ 70

MICHAELS STORES INC 10-K/A