Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2011	Sep. 25, 2010	Sep. 24, 2011	Sep. 25, 2010
Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Sales	$ 1,774,767	$ 1,813,366	$ 5,285,384	$ 5,383,794
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs	1,315,106	1,342,944	3,926,148	3,980,171
Gross profit	459,661	470,422	1,359,236	1,403,623
Operating expenses
Operating, selling and general and administrative expenses	418,365	429,498	1,271,391	1,273,886
Other operating expenses, net			13,916	11,348
Operating income	41,296	40,924	73,929	118,389
Interest expense	(17,827)	(18,444)	(54,721)	(55,132)
Interest income	10,984	10,646	32,913	31,850
Other income (expense), net	173	(23)	307	(57)
Pre-tax income	34,626	33,103	52,428	95,050
Income tax expense	(11,167)	(11,678)	(17,837)	(34,374)
Net income attributable to OfficeMax and noncontrolling interest	23,459	21,425	34,591	60,676
Joint venture results attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1,426)	(886)	(3,113)	(2,249)
Net income attributable to OfficeMax	22,033	20,539	31,478	58,427
Preferred dividends	(515)	(573)	(1,614)	(1,921)
Net income available to OfficeMax common shareholders	$ 21,518	$ 19,966	$ 29,864	$ 56,506
Net income per common share
Basic	$ 0.25	$ 0.23	$ 0.35	$ 0.67
Diluted	$ 0.25	$ 0.23	$ 0.34	$ 0.65