Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Shares Outstanding	Preferred Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Total OfficeMax Shareholders' Equity	Non- controlling Interest
Balance at Beginning of Period at Dec. 26, 2009		$ 211,562	$ 36,479	$ 989,912	$ (602,242)	$ (132,515)	$ 503,196	$ 28,059
Balance at Beginning of Period (in shares) at Dec. 26, 2009		84,624,726
Comprehensive income:
Net income	71,155				71,155		71,155	2,709
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment	22,076					21,290	21,290	786
Pension and postretirement liability adjustment, net of tax						16,356	16,356
Unrealized hedge loss, net of tax	(884)					(884)	(884)
Preferred stock dividend declared					(2,527)		(2,527)
Cash dividend declared:
Restricted stock unit activity				7,972			7,972
Restricted stock unit activity, Shares	1,492	950
Non-controlling interest fair value adjustment				(17,763)			(17,763)	17,763
Stock options exercised (in shares)	408,519	408,519
Stock options exercised		1,021		940			1,961
Other (in shares)		23,515
Other		61	(5,578)	5,518	8		9	(71)
Balance at End of Period at Dec. 25, 2010		212,644	30,901	986,579	(533,606)	(95,753)	600,765	49,246
Balance at End of Period (in shares) at Dec. 25, 2010		85,057,710
Comprehensive income:
Net income	34,894				34,894		34,894	3,226
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment	(8,949)					(6,195)	(6,195)	(2,754)
Pension and postretirement liability adjustment, net of tax						(88,754)	(88,754)
Unrealized hedge loss, net of tax	1,041					1,041	1,041
Preferred stock dividend declared					(2,123)		(2,123)
Cash dividend declared:
Restricted stock unit activity		1,711		3,908			5,619
Restricted stock unit activity, Shares	1,047,406	685,373
Non-controlling interest fair value adjustment				17,763			17,763	(17,763)
Stock options exercised (in shares)	405,988	405,988
Stock options exercised		1,015		934			1,949
Other (in shares)		9,591
Other		27	(2,175)	6,190	(8)		4,034	(32)
Balance at End of Period at Dec. 31, 2011	568,993	215,397	28,726	1,015,374	(500,843)	(189,661)	568,993	31,923
Balance at End of Period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	86,158,662	86,158,662
Comprehensive income:
Net income	416,790				416,790		416,790	4,028
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment	17,587					15,170	15,170	2,417
Pension and postretirement liability adjustment, net of tax						37,127	37,127
Unrealized hedge loss, net of tax	(157)					(157)	(157)
Preferred stock dividend declared					(2,096)		(2,096)
Cash dividend declared:
Common stock					(5,217)		(5,217)
Restricted stock unit activity		1,132		1,056			2,188
Restricted stock unit activity, Shares	694,293	452,854
Non-controlling interest fair value adjustment				(6,253)			(6,253)	6,253
Stock options exercised (in shares)	212,441	212,441
Stock options exercised		531		498			1,029
Other (in shares)		59,564
Other		149	(1,335)	7,992	(7)		6,799	(4)
Balance at End of Period at Dec. 29, 2012	$ 1,034,373	$ 217,209	$ 27,391	$ 1,018,667	$ (91,373)	$ (137,521)	$ 1,034,373	$ 44,617
Balance at End of Period (in shares) at Dec. 29, 2012	86,883,521	86,883,521