Schedule of Stockholders Equity (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			$ 739,285	$ 695,975
Net earnings (loss)	(61,925)	100,849	(69,813)	75,343
Other comprehensive income (loss)	19,072	(50,468)	19,369	(7,520)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(42,853)	50,381	(50,444)	67,823
Preferred stock dividends	(7,650)	(9,213)	(22,765)	(27,639)
Share transactions under employee related plans			1,128	63
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests			(551)	(1,262)
Amortization of long-term incentive stock grants			10,380	11,121
Ending Balance	677,033	746,081	677,033	746,081
Attributable to Office Depot, Inc.
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			739,071	695,496
Net earnings (loss)			(69,795)	75,344
Other comprehensive income (loss)			19,363	(7,534)
Comprehensive income (loss)			(50,432)	67,810
Preferred stock dividends			(22,765)	(27,639)
Share transactions under employee related plans			1,128	63
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests			(444)	(983)
Amortization of long-term incentive stock grants			10,380	11,121
Ending Balance	676,938	745,868	676,938	745,868
Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Beginning Balance			214	479
Net earnings (loss)			(18)	(1)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			6	14
Comprehensive income (loss)			(12)	13
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests			(107)	(279)
Ending Balance	$ 95	$ 213	$ 95	$ 213