Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Description of Business Tech Data Corporation (“Tech Data” or the “Company”) is one of the world’s largest wholesale distributors of technology products. The Company serves as an indispensable link in the technology supply chain by bringing products from the world’s leading technology vendors to market, as well as providing customers with advanced logistics capabilities and value-added services. Tech Data’s customers include value-added resellers, direct marketers, retailers and corporate resellers who support the diverse technology needs of end users. The Company is managed in two geographic segments: the Americas (including North America and South America) and Europe. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Tech Data and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Noncontrolling interest is recognized for the portion of a consolidated joint venture not owned by the Company. The noncontrolling interest of the consolidated joint venture was purchased by the Company during the third quarter of fiscal 2013. The Company operates on a fiscal year that ends on January 31. Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Company prepares its financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). These principles require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position of the Company as of April 30, 2013 and its consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income and cash flows for the three months ended April 30, 2013 and 2012. Accounts Receivable Purchase Agreements The Company has uncommitted accounts receivable purchase agreements under which certain accounts receivable may be sold, without recourse, to third-party financial institutions. Under these programs, the Company may sell certain accounts receivable in exchange for cash less a discount, as defined in the agreements. Available capacity under these programs, which the Company uses as a source of working capital funding, is dependent on the level of accounts receivable eligible to be sold into these programs and the financial institutions' willingness to purchase such receivables. In addition, certain of these agreements also require that the Company continue to service, administer and collect the sold accounts receivable. At April 30, 2013 and January 31, 2013, the Company had a total of $213.0 million and $284.7 million, respectively, of accounts receivable sold to and held by financial institutions under these agreements. During the first quarters of fiscal 2014 and 2013, discount fees recorded under these facilities were $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively, which are included as a component of "other (income) expense, net" in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Income. Seasonality The Company’s quarterly operating results have fluctuated significantly in the past and will likely continue to do so in the future as a result of currency fluctuations and seasonal variations in the demand for the products and services offered. Narrow operating margins may magnify the impact of these factors on the Company's operating results. Recent historical seasonal variations have included an increase in European demand during the Company’s fiscal fourth quarter and decreased demand in other fiscal quarters, particularly quarters that include summer months. Given that more than one half of the Company’s revenues are derived from Europe, the worldwide results closely follow the seasonality trends in Europe. Additionally, the life cycles of major products, as well as the impact of future acquisitions and dispositions, may also materially impact the Company’s business, financial condition, or consolidated results of operations. Therefore, the results of operations for the three months ended April 30, 2013 and 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that can be expected for the entire fiscal year ended January 31, 2014. Recently Adopted Accounting Standards In July 2012, the FASB issued a new accounting standard which allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets. The accounting standard states that an entity would not be required to calculate the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset unless the entity determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. This standard was effective for the Company beginning February 1, 2013. As the Company currently has no material indefinite-lived intangible assets, other than goodwill, this standard had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, income, comprehensive income and cash flows. In February 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standard which requires an entity to provide additional information regarding the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component, the income statement line item to which the reclassification was made and if applicable, cross-referenced to related footnote disclosures. The accounting standard was effective for the Company beginning with the quarter ending April 30, 2013. As the requirements of this standard are disclosure only, there was no impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, income, comprehensive income or cash flows. Recently Issued Accounting Standards In March 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standard which clarifies the accounting for the derecognition of certain subsidiaries or groups of assets within a foreign entity or of an investment in a foreign entity. The guidance also requires the accounting for a business combination achieved in stages involving a foreign entity to be treated as a single event. The accounting standard is effective for the Company beginning with the quarter ending April 30, 2014 and is to be applied prospectively to derecognition events occurring after the effective date. Early adoption is also permitted. If an entity elects to early adopt the accounting standard, it is to be adopted as of the beginning of the entity's fiscal year of adoption. The Company will apply the provisions of this accounting standard to all transactions described above prospectively from the date of adoption. In March 2013, the FASB also issued an accounting standard which requires an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of the guidance is fixed at the reporting date as the sum of: i) the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangements among its co-obligors and ii) any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. The guidance also requires an entity to disclose the nature and amount of the obligation as well as other information about those obligations. The accounting standard is effective for the Company beginning with the quarter ending April 30, 2014 and is to be applied retrospectively for all periods presented. Early adoption is also permitted. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, income, comprehensive income or cash flows. In July 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standard which requires presentation of certain unrecognized tax benefits as reductions to deferred tax assets rather than as liabilities when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The accounting standard is effective for the Company beginning with the quarter ending April 30, 2014 and is to be applied prospectively. The Company currently follows the guidance and this update will have no impact on its financial statement disclosures.

BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Description of Business

Tech Data Corporation (“Tech Data” or the “Company”) is one of the world’s largest wholesale distributors of technology products. The Company serves as an indispensable link in the technology supply chain by bringing products from the world’s leading technology vendors to market, as well as providing customers with advanced logistics capabilities and value-added services. Tech Data’s customers include value-added resellers, direct marketers, retailers and corporate resellers who support the diverse technology needs of end users. The Company is managed in two geographic segments: the Americas (including North America and South America) and Europe.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Tech Data and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Noncontrolling interest is recognized for the portion of a consolidated joint venture not owned by the Company. The noncontrolling interest of the consolidated joint venture was purchased by the Company during the third quarter of fiscal 2013. The Company operates on a fiscal year that ends on January 31.

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Company prepares its financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). These principles require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position of the Company as of April 30, 2013 and its consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income and cash flows for the three months ended April 30, 2013 and 2012.

Accounts Receivable Purchase Agreements

The Company has uncommitted accounts receivable purchase agreements under which certain accounts receivable may be sold, without recourse, to third-party financial institutions. Under these programs, the Company may sell certain accounts receivable in exchange for cash less a discount, as defined in the agreements. Available capacity under these programs, which the Company uses as a source of working capital funding, is dependent on the level of accounts receivable eligible to be sold into these programs and the financial institutions' willingness to purchase such receivables. In addition, certain of these agreements also require that the Company continue to service, administer and collect the sold accounts receivable. At April 30, 2013 and January 31, 2013, the Company had a total of $213.0 million and $284.7 million, respectively, of accounts receivable sold to and held by financial institutions under these agreements. During the first quarters of fiscal 2014 and 2013, discount fees recorded under these facilities were $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively, which are included as a component of "other (income) expense, net" in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Income.

Seasonality

The Company’s quarterly operating results have fluctuated significantly in the past and will likely continue to do so in the future as a result of currency fluctuations and seasonal variations in the demand for the products and services offered. Narrow operating margins may magnify the impact of these factors on the Company's operating results. Recent historical seasonal variations have included an increase in European demand during the Company’s fiscal fourth quarter and decreased demand in other fiscal quarters, particularly quarters that include summer months. Given that more than one half of the Company’s revenues are derived from Europe, the worldwide results closely follow the seasonality trends in Europe. Additionally, the life cycles of major products, as well as the impact of future acquisitions and dispositions, may also materially impact the Company’s business, financial condition, or consolidated results of operations. Therefore, the results of operations for the three months ended April 30, 2013 and 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that can be expected for the entire fiscal year ended January 31, 2014.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In July 2012, the FASB issued a new accounting standard which allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets. The accounting standard states that an entity would not be required to calculate the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset unless the entity determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. This standard was effective for the Company beginning February 1, 2013. As the Company currently has no material indefinite-lived intangible assets, other than goodwill, this standard had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, income, comprehensive income and cash flows.

In February 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standard which requires an entity to provide additional information regarding the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component, the income statement line item to which the reclassification was made and if applicable, cross-referenced to related footnote disclosures. The accounting standard was effective for the Company beginning with the quarter ending April 30, 2013. As the requirements of this standard are disclosure only, there was no impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, income, comprehensive income or cash flows.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In March 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standard which clarifies the accounting for the derecognition of certain subsidiaries or groups of assets within a foreign entity or of an investment in a foreign entity. The guidance also requires the accounting for a business combination achieved in stages involving a foreign entity to be treated as a single event. The accounting standard is effective for the Company beginning with the quarter ending April 30, 2014 and is to be applied prospectively to derecognition events occurring after the effective date. Early adoption is also permitted. If an entity elects to early adopt the accounting standard, it is to be adopted as of the beginning of the entity's fiscal year of adoption. The Company will apply the provisions of this accounting standard to all transactions described above prospectively from the date of adoption.

In March 2013, the FASB also issued an accounting standard which requires an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of the guidance is fixed at the reporting date as the sum of: i) the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangements among its co-obligors and ii) any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. The guidance also requires an entity to disclose the nature and amount of the obligation as well as other information about those obligations. The accounting standard is effective for the Company beginning with the quarter ending April 30, 2014 and is to be applied retrospectively for all periods presented. Early adoption is also permitted. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, income, comprehensive income or cash flows.

In July 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standard which requires presentation of certain unrecognized tax benefits as reductions to deferred tax assets rather than as liabilities when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The accounting standard is effective for the Company beginning with the quarter ending April 30, 2014 and is to be applied prospectively. The Company currently follows the guidance and this update will have no impact on its financial statement disclosures.