CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands	Aug. 27, 2011	Nov. 27, 2010
Current assets: [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 127,065	$ 117,022
Restricted cash	994	708
Accounts receivable, less allowance for losses of $10,647 and $11,428, respectively	208,200	188,186
Inventories	209,701	182,384
Deferred income taxes	25,588	25,081
Income taxes receivable	1,982	7,324
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	6,994	5,568
Total current assets	580,524	526,273
Plant assets, at cost, less accumulated depreciation of $292,382 and $275,372, respectively	185,170	181,175
Assets held for sale	2,000	2,000
Goodwill	237,138	228,105
Acquired intangible assets, less accumulated amortization	100,119	91,174
Deferred income taxes	0	1,000
Other noncurrent assets	13,008	12,684
Total assets	1,117,959	1,042,411
Current liabilities: [Abstract]
Current portion of long-term debt	1,347	146
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	153,327	160,206
Income taxes	4,500	3,105
Total current liabilities	159,174	163,457
Long-term debt, less current portion	16,005	17,331
Long-term pension and postretirement healthcare benefits liabilities	56,679	66,124
Deferred income taxes	36,066	31,266
Other long-term liabilities	14,090	5,138
Total liabilities	282,014	283,316
Contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	1,650	1,568
Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]
Capital stock	50,231	50,335
Capital in excess of par value	28,394	33,698
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(23,376)	(35,041)
Retained earnings	778,310	707,478
Total CLARCOR Inc. equity	833,559	756,470
Noncontrolling interests	736	1,057
Total shareholders' equity	834,295	757,527
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 1,117,959	$ 1,042,411