Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2011	Sep. 25, 2010	Sep. 24, 2011	Sep. 25, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Sales	$ 2,836,737	$ 2,899,717	$ 8,519,838	$ 8,671,162
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs	1,981,717	2,070,534	5,992,578	6,161,560
Gross profit	855,020	829,183	2,527,260	2,509,602
Store and warehouse operating and selling expenses	672,621	665,905	2,013,170	1,998,339
General and administrative expenses	163,282	154,965	492,608	475,043
Operating profit	19,117	8,313	21,482	36,220
Other income (expense):
Interest income	317	2,513	1,158	3,493
Interest expense	17,306	(6,093)	(19,512)	(40,456)
Miscellaneous income, net	5,536	11,189	19,869	21,969
Earnings before income taxes	42,276	15,922	22,997	21,226
Income tax benefit	(58,573)	(24,700)	(52,346)	(32,496)
Net earnings	100,849	40,622	75,343	53,722
Less: Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(23)	(632)	(1)	(1,066)
Net earnings attributable to Office Depot, Inc.	100,872	41,254	75,344	54,788
Preferred stock dividends	9,213	9,210	27,639	27,898
Net earnings available to common shareholders	$ 91,659	$ 32,044	$ 47,705	$ 26,890
Earnings per share:
Basic	$ 0.29	$ 0.12	$ 0.17	$ 0.10
Diluted	$ 0.28	$ 0.12	$ 0.17	$ 0.10
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic	278,559	275,956	277,627	275,170
Diluted	357,036	275,956	277,627	275,170