Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Nature of Operations	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 and Europe.
Consolidation, Policy	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Tech Data and its controlled subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company operates on a fiscal year that ends on January 31.
Basis of Accounting, Policy	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 (“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 October 31, 2016, its consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2016 and 2015, and its consolidated cash flows for the nine months ended October 31, 2016 and 2015.
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. Given that the majority of the Company’s revenues are derived from Europe, the worldwide results closely follow the seasonality trends in Europe. The seasonal trend in Europe typically results in greater operating leverage, and therefore, lower selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales in the region and on a consolidated basis during the second semester of the Company's fiscal year, particularly in the Company's fourth quarter. Therefore, the results of operations for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that can be expected for the entire fiscal year ended January 31, 2017.
Business Combinations Policy [Policy Text Block]	Acquisition and integration expenses Acquisition and integration expenses are primarily comprised of transaction costs, professional fees and personnel costs, including due diligence and integration activities, related to the planned acquisition of the Technology Solutions business of Avnet Inc. (see Note 3 – Acquisitions for further discussion).
Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement	The Company has been a claimant in proceedings seeking damages primarily from certain manufacturers of LCD flat panel and cathode ray tube displays. The Company reached settlement agreements with certain manufacturers during the periods presented and has recorded these amounts, net of estimated attorney fees and expenses, in "LCD settlements and other, net" in the Consolidated Statement of Income.
Accounts Receivable Purchase Facility Program, Policy	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 October 31, 2016 and January 31, 2016, the Company had a total of $527.9 million and $554.2 million, respectively, of accounts receivable sold to and held by financial institutions under these agreements. During the three months ended October 31, 2016 and 2015, discount fees recorded under these facilities were $1.6 million and $0.9 million, respectively, and during the nine months ended October 31, 2016 and 2015, discount fees recorded under these facilities were $4.3 million and $2.9 million, respectively. These discount fees are included as a component of "other expense (income), net" in the Consolidated Statement of Income.
Accounting Changes	The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually at the reporting unit level, or more frequently if current events and circumstances indicate a possible impairment. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2017, the Company elected to change the timing of its annual goodwill impairment testing from January 31st to November 1st. This accounting change is considered to be preferable because it allows the Company additional time to complete the annual goodwill impairment test. This change does not represent a material change to the method of applying an accounting principle, nor does this change result in adjustments to previously issued financial statements. The Company has concluded that it is impracticable to objectively determine projected cash flows and related valuation estimates that would have been used as of each November 1st of prior reporting periods. As a result, the Company will prospectively apply the change in the annual goodwill impairment testing date beginning November 1, 2016. This change in testing date did not delay, accelerate, or avoid a goodwill impairment charge.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an accounting standard which provides guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, the license element should be accounted for consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If the cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The Company adopted this standard during the quarter ended April 30, 2016. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard which modifies how companies account for certain aspects of stock-based payments to employees. The new standard revises the accounting treatment for excess tax benefits, statutory income tax withholding requirements, and forfeitures related to stock-based awards. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016; however, early adoption is permitted. The Company early adopted this standard during the quarter ended April 30, 2016. The Company has elected to continue to estimate the number of stock-based awards expected to vest, as permitted by the new standard, rather than electing to account for forfeitures as they occur. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements; however, as a result of the adoption of this standard, the classification of certain amounts in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended October 31, 2015 was retrospectively adjusted.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy	In May 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standard which will supersede all existing revenue recognition guidance under current GAAP. In March, April and May 2016, the FASB issued three additional accounting standard updates which provide supplemental adoption guidance and clarification to the May 2014 accounting standard update. The new standards require the recognition of revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods and services. The standards will be effective for the Company beginning with the quarter ending April 30, 2018. The Company would have the option to adopt one year earlier and the standard may be adopted with either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach. The Company is currently in the process of assessing what impact these new standards may have on its consolidated financial statements. In July 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting standard that simplifies the subsequent measurement of inventory. Under the new standard, the cost of inventory will be compared to the net realizable value (NRV). Net realizable value is defined as the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. The standard should be applied prospectively and will be effective for the Company beginning with the quarter ending April 30, 2017. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard which requires the recognition of assets and liabilities arising from lease transactions on the balance sheet and the disclosure of additional information about leasing arrangements. Under the new guidance, for all leases, interest expense and amortization of the right to use asset will be recorded for leases determined to be financing leases and straight-line lease expense will be recorded for leases determined to be operating leases. Lessees will initially recognize assets for the right to use the leased assets and liabilities for the obligations created by those leases. The new accounting standard must be adopted using a modified retrospective approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The accounting standard is effective for the Company beginning with the quarter ended April 30, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently in the process of assessing what impact this new standard may have on its consolidated financial statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard which revises the methodology for measuring credit losses on financial instruments and the timing of the recognition of those losses. Under the new standard, financial assets measured at an amortized cost basis are to be presented net of the amount not expected to be collected via an allowance for credit losses. Estimated credit losses are to be based on historical information adjusted for management's expectation that current conditions and supportable forecasts differ from historical experience. The accounting standard is effective for the Company beginning with the quarter ending April 30, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently in the process of assessing what impact this new standard may have on its consolidated financial statements. In August 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard that addresses how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified on the statement of cash flows. The accounting standard is effective for the Company beginning with the quarter ending April 30, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In October 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard that revises the accounting for the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. The accounting standard is effective for the Company beginning with the quarter ending April 30, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently in the process of assessing what impact this new standard may have on its consolidated financial statements.
Reclassification, Policy	Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications did not have a material impact on previously reported amounts.