Earnings Per Share (Schedule Of Earnings Per Share, Basic And Diluted) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 24, 2011		Jun. 25, 2011		Mar. 26, 2011		Dec. 25, 2010		Sep. 25, 2010		Jun. 26, 2010		Mar. 27, 2010		Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010	Dec. 26, 2009
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$ 12,284	[1]	$ 91,659	[2]	$ (29,327)		$ (14,627)		$ (108,626)	[3],[4]	$ 32,044	[3],[5]	$ (25,147)	[3],[6]	$ 19,993	[3]	$ 59,989	$ (81,736)	$ (626,971)
Weighted-average shares outstanding																	277,918	275,557	272,828
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$ 0.04	[1],[3]	$ 0.29	[2],[3]	$ (0.11)	[3]	$ (0.05)	[3]	$ (0.39)	[3],[4]	$ 0.12	[3],[5]	$ (0.09)	[3],[6]	$ 0.07	[3]	$ 0.22	$ (0.30)	$ (2.30)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Office Depot, Inc.	$ 20,350	[1]	$ 100,872	[2]	$ (20,114)		$ (5,414)		$ (99,411)	[3],[4]	$ 41,254	[3],[5]	$ (15,934)	[3],[6]	$ 29,468	[3]	$ 95,694	$ (44,623)	$ (596,465)
Stock options and restricted stock																	5,176	7,060	3,836
Redeemable preferred stock																	73,703	73,676	36,418
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding																	356,797	356,293	313,082
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$ 0.04	[1],[3]	$ 0.28	[2],[3]	$ (0.11)	[3]	$ (0.05)	[3]	$ (0.39)	[3],[4]	$ 0.12	[3],[5]	$ (0.09)	[3],[6]	$ 0.07	[3]	$ 0.22	$ (0.30)	$ (2.30)

[1] Fiscal year 2011 includes 53 weeks in accordance with our 52- week, 53-week retail calendar; accordingly, the fourth quarter includes 14 weeks. Additionally, the fourth quarter includes approximately $24 million of benefits from the reversal of uncertain tax positions and valuation allowances.

[2] Net earnings includes approximately $99 million of tax and related interest benefits from the reversal of uncertain tax positions.

[3] Due to rounding, the sum of the quarterly earnings per share amounts may not equal the reported earnings per share for the year.

[4] Net loss for the quarter includes approximately $12 million related to pre-tax charges for severance and facility closures, $11 million loss on the sale of operating entities, $51 million from software write off, and $13 million severance and related costs for departing executive officer.

[5] Net earnings for the quarter includes approximately $32 million of discrete tax benefits from the settlement of certain tax positions relating to open years as well as approximately $13 million of related interest benefits.

[6] Net loss for the quarter includes approximately $13 million discrete tax benefits from the release of a valuation allowance in Europe and a favorable settlement with certain taxing authorities.