Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 26, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Sales	$ 2,872,809	$ 2,972,960
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs	1,989,635	2,094,772
Gross profit	883,174	878,188
Store and warehouse operating and selling expenses	695,904	693,886
Recovery of purchase price	(68,314)
General and administrative expenses	177,894	165,826
Operating profit	77,690	18,476
Other income (expense):
Interest income	367	599
Interest expense	(14,478)	(17,987)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(12,069)
Miscellaneous income, net	8,979	7,345
Earnings before income taxes	60,489	8,433
Income tax expense	10,990	13,823
Net earnings (loss)	49,499	(5,390)
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(4)	24
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Office Depot, Inc.	49,503	(5,414)
Preferred stock dividends	8,216	9,213
Net earnings (loss) available to common shareholders	$ 41,287	$ (14,627)
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic	$ 0.14	$ (0.05)
Diluted	$ 0.14	$ (0.05)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic	278,552	276,986
Diluted	358,863	276,986