Organization And Nature Of Operations (Details) (USD $) In Trillions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended						12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 31, 2009 EMCF [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 NASDAQ OMX BX [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 NASDAQ OMX PHLX [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 NASDAQ Options Market [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 NASDAQ OMX NORDIC [Member] EMCF [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 NASDAQ OMX Commodities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 NASDAQ OMX PSX Commodities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Market Technology [Member]
Operations in number of continents	6
Total number of U.S. listed companies	2,680
Home to listed companies with a combined market capitalization	$ 4.4
Total number of listed companies within Nordic and Baltic exchanges	776
Approximate combined market capitalization	0.9
U.S. cash equities volume, percentage	18.10%		2.10%					1.00%
Market share in the U.S. equity options market	27.70%			23.10%	4.60%
Percentage of share in U.S. equity and ETF options market	27.70%
Equity method investment, ownership percentage		22.00%				22.00%
Number of members							390
Market Technology segment delivers services, exchanges	70
Market Technology segment delivers services, countries									50
Number of world wide listed companies	3,500
Approximate market value	$ 5.3