Earnings per Share Attributable to Parent (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to RR Donnelley common shareholders
Basic	$ (3.61)	$ (0.63)	$ 1.07
Diluted	$ (3.61)	$ (0.63)	$ 1.06
Dividends declared per common share	$ 1.04	$ 1.04	$ 1.04
Numerator:
Net earnings (loss) attributable to RR Donnelley common shareholders	$ (651.4)	$ (122.6)	$ 221.7
Denominator:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	180.4	193.8	206.4
Dilutive options and awards			3.3
Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding	180.4	193.8	209.7
Weighted average number of anti-dilutive share-based awards:
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	8.6	9.2	6.3
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Weighted average number of anti-dilutive share-based awards:
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	3.6	5.0	2.7
Performance Shares
Weighted average number of anti-dilutive share-based awards:
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	0.4	0.2
Stock Options
Weighted average number of anti-dilutive share-based awards:
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	4.6	4.0	3.6

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