Derivative Instruments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Interest rate exchange agreement expiration date	December 2011	December 2011
Notional amount	$ 82.0
Floating-rate debt converted into fixed-rate debt	100.0
Other comprehensive income in shareholders' equity based on interest rate, approximate	4.7
Notional amount foreign currency exchange contracts	0.5
Term Loan [Member]
Interest rate	4.00%
Current margin, basis point spread over LIBOR	80
Interest Rate Exchange Agreement [Member]
Notional amount	82.0
Floating-rate debt converted into fixed-rate debt	100.0
Interest rate	4.00%
Other comprehensive income in shareholders' equity based on interest rate, approximate	1.2
Forward Starting Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Other comprehensive income in shareholders' equity based on interest rate, approximate	$ 3.5

Current margin basis point.

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Balance Type:	na
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- Definition

Interest rate exchange agreement expiration date

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	iex
Data Type:	us-types:dateStringItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Total monetary amount specified by the derivative(s). Expressed as an absolute value.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of the hedged item as of the balance sheet date related to the derivative. For example, the hedged balance on a debt instrument.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fixed interest rate related to the interest rate derivative.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The income statement location of the effective portion of net gain or loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 133
-Paragraph 205G

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 133
-Paragraph 44C
-Subparagraph b
-Clause 3

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate notional amount of foreign currency exchange rate derivatives. Notional amount refers to the number of currency units specified in the foreign currency derivative contract.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant