Stock Transactions and Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 16, 2013
Repurchase of common stock authorized, shares					20,000
Stock repurchase program, remaining number of shares authorized to be repurchased, shares		20,000
Shares held as Treasury shares		26,000
Total number of authorized shares to be issued under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, shares		62,000
Maximum number of authorized shares grantable in any form other than stock options or stock appreciation rights, shares		19,000
Stock compensation expense		$ 139.0	$ 115.5	$ 109.6
Common shares reserved for issuance under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, shares		22,000
Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised		$ 313.0	154.0	165.0
Cash receipts due to exercise of options		223.0	125.0	158.0
Adjustments to additional paid-in capital, income tax benefit from share-based compensation		$ 147.0	$ 82.0	80.0
Total Number Of Shares Withheld Sufficient To Fund Minimum Tax Withholding Requirements Related To Exercising Of Stock Options And Vesting Of RSUs		677	568
Total Value Of Shares Withheld Sufficient To Fund Minimum Tax Withholding Requirements Related To Exercising Of Stock Options And Vesting Of RSUs		$ 60.0	$ 43.0
RSUs/PSUs:
Vesting period of restricted shares issued under the Tektronix Plans (in years)		5 years
Stock compensation expense		$ 92.2	71.4	64.6
Total unrecognized compensation cost		$ 171.0
Weighted average period for cost to be recognized (in years)		2 years
Adjustments to additional paid-in capital, income tax benefit from share-based compensation		$ 46.0	36.0	28.0
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, percentage of awards granted		25.00%
PSUs
Vesting period of restricted shares issued under the Tektronix Plans (in years)		3 years
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, percentage of awards granted		25.00%
Stock options
Vesting period of restricted shares issued under the Tektronix Plans (in years)		5 years
Stock option term (in years)		10 years
Stock compensation expense		$ 46.8	44.1	45.0
Total unrecognized compensation cost		$ 130.0
Weighted average period for cost to be recognized (in years)		3 years
Adjustments to additional paid-in capital, income tax benefit from share-based compensation		$ 101.0	46.0	52.0
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, percentage of awards granted		50.00%
Communications business
Shares held as Treasury shares	26,000
Communications business | Discontinued operations
Shares held as Treasury shares	26,000
Stock compensation expense			$ 6.0	$ 8.0
Communications business | Discontinued operations | Stock options
Expiration period after vesting date			90 days
Pall Corporation
Total number of authorized shares to be issued under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, shares		5,000