Schedule of Stockholders Equity (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 25, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 25, 2011
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			$ 739,285	$ 695,975
Net earnings (loss)	(57,387)	(20,116)	(7,888)	(25,506)
Other comprehensive income	(32,035)	959	297	42,948
Comprehensive income	(89,422)	(19,157)	(7,591)	17,442
Preferred stock dividends	(6,899)	(9,213)	(15,115)	(18,426)
Share transactions under employee related plans			888	(50)
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests			(551)	(1,262)
Amortization of long-term incentive stock grants			7,228	7,058
Ending Balance	724,144	700,737	724,144	700,737
Attributable to Office Depot, Inc.
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			739,071	695,496
Net earnings (loss)			(7,879)	(25,528)
Other comprehensive income			295	42,916
Comprehensive income			(7,584)	17,388
Preferred stock dividends			(15,115)	(18,426)
Share transactions under employee related plans			888	(50)
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests			(444)	(983)
Amortization of long-term incentive stock grants			7,228	7,058
Ending Balance	724,044	700,483	724,044	700,483
Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			214	479
Net earnings (loss)			(9)	22
Other comprehensive income			2	32
Comprehensive income			(7)	54
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests			(107)	(279)
Ending Balance	$ 100	$ 254	$ 100	$ 254