Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2011	Sep. 25, 2010
Cash provided by operations:
Net income attributable to OfficeMax and noncontrolling interest	$ 34,591	$ 60,676
Non-cash items in net income:
Earnings on investment in Boise Cascade Holdings L.L.C.	(5,830)	(5,391)
Depreciation and amortization	63,759	76,586
Pension and other postretirement benefits expense	6,227	3,688
Other	13,070	8,747
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables	(14,707)	4,002
Inventories	77,249	48,227
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(76,980)	(50,850)
Current and deferred income taxes	5,749	28,433
Other	(24,385)	(18,140)
Cash provided by operations	78,743	155,978
Cash used for investment:
Expenditures for property and equipment	(41,549)	(50,153)
Proceeds from sales of assets, net	169	1,607
Cash used for investment	(41,380)	(48,546)
Cash used for financing:
Cash dividends paid-preferred stock	(2,224)	(2,575)
Borrowings of short-term debt, net	20	(626)
Payments of long-term debt	(5,154)	(2,715)
Purchase of Series D preferred stock	(1,624)	(3,595)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,949	1,832
Payments related to other share-based compensation	(4,404)
Other	157	7
Cash used for financing	(11,280)	(7,672)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	(2,983)	1,606
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	23,100	101,366
Balance at beginning of the period	462,326	486,570
Balance at end of the period	$ 485,426	$ 587,936