Stock Transactions and Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	May 11, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	May 10, 2012	May 09, 2012	May 31, 2011
Common stock, shares authorized		2,000,000,000	1,000,000,000		2,000,000,000	1,000,000,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)		$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Stock split ratio, number of shares issued per share	2
Repurchase of common stock authorized	20,000,000
Treasury stock purchase, shares		12,500,000
Purchase of treasury stock		$ 648.4	$ 0	$ 0
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount		7,500,000
Additional shares authorized to be issued under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan							7,000,000
Total number of authorized shares to be issued under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan		45,000,000
Maximum number of authorized shares grantable in any form other than stock options or stock appreciation rights		14,000,000
Stock options vesting period, years		5 years
Stock option term, years		10 years
Vesting period of restricted shares issued under Tektronix 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, in years		5 years
Common shares reserved for issuance under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan		16,000,000
Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised		226	105	151
Cash receipts due to exercise of options		201	114	134
Tax benefit realized related to exercise of stock options		75	33	49
Tax benefit related to the vesting of restricted stock units		31	7	27
Total number of shares withheld sufficient to fund minimum tax withholding requirements related to the vesting of restricted stock units		1,200,000	147,000
Total value of shares withheld sufficient to fund minimum tax withholding requirements related to the vesting of restricted stock units		65	7
Restricted Shares
Stock options vesting period, years		5 years
RSUs and restricted shares:
Total unrecognized compensation cost		131
Weighted average period for cost to be recognized (in years)		2 years
Stock Options
Total unrecognized compensation cost		$ 131
Weighted average period for cost to be recognized (in years)		2 years