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Segment Information (Schedule Of Net Sales, Operating Income, Interest Income And Long-Lived Assets By Major Geographical Areas) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]      
Net sales $ 1,243,862us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 1,172,558us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 1,143,692us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Americas [Member]      
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]      
Net sales 495,956us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= us-gaap_AmericasMember
483,604us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= us-gaap_AmericasMember
454,616us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= us-gaap_AmericasMember
Europe [Member]      
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]      
Net sales 345,653us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= us-gaap_EuropeMember
318,179us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= us-gaap_EuropeMember
297,572us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= us-gaap_EuropeMember
East Asia [Member]      
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]      
Net sales 294,325us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= nati_EastAsiaMember
260,100us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= nati_EastAsiaMember
282,512us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= nati_EastAsiaMember
Emerging Markets [Member]      
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]      
Net sales $ 107,928us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= nati_EmergingMarketsMember
$ 110,675us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= nati_EmergingMarketsMember
$ 108,992us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= nati_EmergingMarketsMember