Interim Financial Information (Schedule Of Interim Financial Information) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2010	Apr. 30, 2010	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011	Jan. 31, 2010
Interim Financial Information [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 7,112,552	$ 6,593,983	$ 6,449,461	$ 6,332,128	$ 7,117,195	$ 6,163,762	$ 5,473,961	$ 5,621,055	$ 26,488,124	$ 24,375,973	$ 22,099,876
Gross profit	374,944	344,747	340,838	333,462	378,746	324,202	287,537	292,803	1,393,991	1,283,288	1,152,354
Consolidated net income	59,209	57,163	51,756	48,720	81,224	51,163	40,832	45,644	216,848	218,863	181,200
Net income attributable to shareholders of Tech Data Corporation	54,069	53,519	50,107	48,701	77,297	50,458	40,855	45,633	206,396	214,243	180,155
Basic	$ 1.31	$ 1.27	$ 1.11	$ 1.04	$ 1.66	$ 1.08	$ 0.82	$ 0.89	$ 4.72	$ 4.41	$ 3.57
Diluted	$ 1.29	$ 1.26	$ 1.10	$ 1.03	$ 1.63	$ 1.07	$ 0.82	$ 0.88	$ 4.66	$ 4.36	$ 3.54
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries	$ 28,300								$ 28,294	$ 0	$ 0
Decrease in diluted earnings per share	$ 0.46