v3.20.1

Cover	May 11, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	8-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	May 11, 2020
Entity File Number	001-35935
Entity Registrant Name	Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001269021
Entity Tax Identification Number	20-0216859
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Address, Address Line One	270 E. Grand Avenue
Entity Address, City or Town	South San Francisco
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	94080
City Area Code	650
Local Phone Number	246-7300
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Trading Symbol	PTLA
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false

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Cover page.

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The end date of the period reflected on the cover page if a periodic report. For all other reports and registration statements containing historical data, it is the date up through which that historical data is presented. If there is no historical data in the report, use the filing date. The format of the date is CCYY-MM-DD.

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The type of document being provided (such as 10-K, 10-Q, 485BPOS, etc). The document type is limited to the same value as the supporting SEC submission type, or the word 'Other'.

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Address Line 1 such as Attn, Building Name, Street Name

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Name of the state or province.

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A unique 10-digit SEC-issued value to identify entities that have filed disclosures with the SEC. It is commonly abbreviated as CIK.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Commission file number. The field allows up to 17 characters. The prefix may contain 1-3 digits, the sequence number may contain 1-8 digits, the optional suffix may contain 1-4 characters, and the fields are separated with a hyphen.

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The exact name of the entity filing the report as specified in its charter, which is required by forms filed with the SEC.

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The Tax Identification Number (TIN), also known as an Employer Identification Number (EIN), is a unique 9-digit value assigned by the IRS.

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Local phone number for entity.

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Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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PORTOLA PHARMACEUTICALS INC 8-K