Equity (Summary of the Company's Equity Activity) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			$ 1,062.2	$ 2,245.4
Net earnings	71.2	158.7	198.1	205.5
Other comprehensive income	42.3	(98.3)	24.4	16.6
Share-based compensation			18.6	22.5
Issuance of share-based awards, net of withholdings			(11.7)	(6.4)
Acquisition of common stock				(500.0)
Cash dividends paid			(140.2)	(156.5)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests			(1.2)	(3.2)
Ending Balance	1,150.2	1,823.9	1,150.2	1,823.9
Total RR Donnelley's Shareholders' Equity [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			1,042.7	2,224.3
Net earnings			197.6	204.1
Other comprehensive income			24.3	16.3
Share-based compensation			18.6	22.5
Issuance of share-based awards, net of withholdings			(11.7)	(6.4)
Acquisition of common stock				(500.0)
Cash dividends paid			(140.2)	(156.5)
Ending Balance	1,131.3	1,804.3	1,131.3	1,804.3
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			19.5	21.1
Net earnings			0.5	1.4
Other comprehensive income			0.1	0.3
Distributions to noncontrolling interests			(1.2)	(3.2)
Ending Balance	$ 18.9	$ 19.6	$ 18.9	$ 19.6