Stock Transactions (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	May 11, 2010	May 11, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	May 31, 2011
Stock split ratio, number of shares issued per share	2
Stock split, date dividend paid		Jun. 10, 2010
Stock split, dividend record date		May 25, 2010
Repurchase of common stock authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Stock to be repurchased			20,000,000
Additional shares authorized to be issued under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan						7,000,000
Total number of authorized shares to be issued under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan			45,000,000
Maximum number of authorized shares grantable in any form other than stock options or stock appreciation rights			14,000,000
Stock options vesting period, years			5
Stock option term, years			10
Vesting period of restricted shares issued under Tektronix 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, in years				five
Common shares reserved for issuance under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan			20,000,000
Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised			$ 105	$ 151	$ 151
Cash receipts due to exercise of options			114	134	120
Tax benefit realized related to exercise of stock options			33	49	53
Tax benefit related to the vesting of restricted stock units			7	27	4
Total number of shares withheld sufficient to fund minimum tax withholding requirements related to the vesting of restricted stock units			147,000	765,000
Total value of shares withheld sufficient to fund minimum tax withholding requirements related to the vesting of restricted stock units			7	29
Restricted Shares [Member]
Stock options vesting period, years			5
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Total unrecognized compensation cost			118
Weighted average period for cost to be recognized (in years)			2
Stock Options [Member]
Total unrecognized compensation cost			$ 126
Weighted average period for cost to be recognized (in years)			2