Cash Received From Sale of An Equity Method Investment

No definition available.

Name:	dhr_CashReceivedFromSaleOfEquityMethodInvestment
Namespace Prefix:	dhr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	dhr_FairValueOfConsiderationReceivedAbstract
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- Definition

Income Taxes on Gain on Sale of Equity Method Investment

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dhr_IncomeTaxesOnGainOnSaleOfEquityMethodInvestment
Namespace Prefix:	dhr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Other Related Costs and Expenses Incurred in Connection with the Sale of an Equity Method Investment [Line Items]1

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dhr_OtherRelatedCostsAndExpensesIncurredInConnectionWithSaleOfEquityMethodInvestmentLineItems1
Namespace Prefix:	dhr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents disclosure of the amount of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporation; these investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 13

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 28

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 18

-Paragraph 19

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the amount of net sales proceeds received on disposal of an equity method investment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 35

-Paragraph 35

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7658923&loc=d3e32847-111569

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNetSalesProceeds
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the amount of gain (loss) arising from the disposal of an equity method investment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentRealizedGainLossOnDisposal
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the carrying amount of the entity's equity method investment which has been sold. This item is used only for purposes of disclosing the calculated gain (loss) on disposal of the subject equity method investment and not for reporting the carrying value of equity method investments as presented on the entity's balance sheet. For reporting the carrying value of equity method investments presented on the entity's balance sheet, the EquityMethodInvestments (Equity Method Investments) element would be used.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSoldCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Gain (loss) on entity's disposition of equity in securities of subsidiaries or 50 percent or less owned persons. Reflects the difference in the parent company's carrying amount of the equity interest in the subsidiary (or equity method investee) immediately before and after all stock transactions.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph g

-Article 9

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.13(g))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfStockInSubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvestee
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Net amount of the investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, credit card receivables, notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets. Excludes trade accounts receivable with contractual maturity of one year or less and arose from the sale of goods or services.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 3

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Sale of Joint Venture (Gain From Affiliates) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2012	Feb. 28, 2013 Apex [Member]	Mar. 29, 2013 Apex [Member]
Fair value of consideration received:
Proceeds from equity method investment, dividends or distributions			$ 66.6
Cash, including $66.6 of dividends received during 2013 prior to the closing of the sale			758.6
Note receivable			38.5
Total fair value of consideration received			797.1
Less book value of investment in unconsolidated joint venture			545.6
Other related costs and expenses			21.7
Pre-tax gain on sale of unconsolidated joint venture	229.8	0	229.8
Income tax expense			86.2
After-tax gain on sale of unconsolidated joint venture			$ 143.6	$ 143.6