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Operating Segments - Sales Information by Geographic Regions (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2015
Jan. 31, 2014
Net external sales    
Net external sales $ 379,008us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 359,420us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
United States [Member]    
Net external sales    
Net external sales 122,824us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_US		 115,506us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_US
Americas [Member]    
Net external sales    
Net external sales 28,268us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= ndsn_AmericasExcludingUsMember		 27,265us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= ndsn_AmericasExcludingUsMember
Europe [Member]    
Net external sales    
Net external sales 108,566us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= us-gaap_EuropeMember		 116,475us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= us-gaap_EuropeMember
Japan [Member]    
Net external sales    
Net external sales 21,533us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_JP		 26,245us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_JP
Asia Pacific [Member]    
Net external sales    
Net external sales $ 97,817us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= ndsn_AsiaPacificExcludingJapanMember		 $ 73,929us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= ndsn_AsiaPacificExcludingJapanMember