Benefit Plans - Net Periodic Benefit Table (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended				12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 Pension Plans	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans	Sep. 30, 2012 Pension Plans	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans	Sep. 30, 2012 Dex Media Pension Plan	Sep. 30, 2011 Dex Media Pension Plan	Dec. 31, 2011 Dex Media Pension Plan	Sep. 30, 2012 Dex One Pension Benefit Equalization Plan	Dec. 31, 2011 Dex One Pension Benefit Equalization Plan	Sep. 30, 2012 Dex Media Pension Plan and Dex One Pension Benefit Equalization Plan	Dec. 31, 2011 Dex Media Pension Plan and Dex One Pension Benefit Equalization Plan
Net Periodic Benefit Credit [Abstract]
Interest cost	$ 2,673,000	$ 3,177,000	$ 8,020,000	$ 9,530,000
Expected return on plan assets	(3,355,000)	(3,625,000)	(10,064,000)	(10,875,000)
Settlement loss	0	0	1,540,000	403,000		403,000				1,540,000
Amortization of net loss	192,000	0	576,000	0
Net periodic benefit (credit) cost	(490,000)	(448,000)	72,000	(942,000)
Assumptions Used in Net Periodic Benefit Expense Calculations [Abstract]
Discount Rate					4.22%		4.38%	4.25%	4.51%
Expected Return on Plan Assets										7.50%	8.00%
Pension Plans Employer Contributions [Abstract]
Contributions by Employer	4,600,000	2,500,000	13,900,000	15,300,000
Estimated Total Employer Contributions for Current Fiscal Year	$ 15,200,000		$ 15,200,000