Shareholders' Equity and Noncontrolling Interest (Schedule of Shareholders' Equity and Noncontrolling Interest) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 25, 2011	Jun. 26, 2010	Jun. 25, 2011	Jun. 26, 2010
Net income attributable to OfficeMax and noncontrolling interest	$ (2,101)	$ 12,949	$ 11,132	$ 39,252
Foreign currency translation adjustments	14,805	(10,920)	19,935	(6,378)
Amortization of unrecognized retirement and benefit costs, net of tax	4,953	2,321	7,067	3,118
Unrealized hedge loss adjustment, net of tax	395		85
Comprehensive income attributable to OfficeMax and noncontrolling interest	1,790	455	4,185	1,535
Preferred dividends	(563)	(679)	(1,100)	(1,348)
Stock-based compensation	3,300	3,300	8,700	5,900
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Balance at December 25, 2010			49,246
Net income attributable to OfficeMax and noncontrolling interest			1,687
Foreign currency translation adjustments			2,498
Amortization of unrecognized retirement and benefit costs, net of tax
Unrealized hedge loss adjustment, net of tax
Comprehensive income attributable to OfficeMax and noncontrolling interest			4,185
Preferred dividends
Stock-based compensation
Non-controlling interest fair value adjustment			(12,724)
Other
Balance at June 25, 2011	40,707		40,707
Shareholders' Equity [Member]
Balance at December 25, 2010			600,765
Net income attributable to OfficeMax and noncontrolling interest			9,445
Foreign currency translation adjustments			17,437
Amortization of unrecognized retirement and benefit costs, net of tax			7,067
Unrealized hedge loss adjustment, net of tax			85
Comprehensive income attributable to OfficeMax and noncontrolling interest			34,034
Preferred dividends			(1,100)
Stock-based compensation			8,677
Non-controlling interest fair value adjustment			12,724
Other			(3,985)
Balance at June 25, 2011	$ 651,115		$ 651,115