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Goodwill (Goodwill By Segment) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Apr. 03, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]    
Total goodwill $ 16,711.5us-gaap_Goodwill $ 16,964.2us-gaap_Goodwill
Test & Measurement    
Goodwill [Line Items]    
Total goodwill 3,197.4us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= dhr_TestAndMeasurementMember		 3,238.4us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= dhr_TestAndMeasurementMember
Environmental    
Goodwill [Line Items]    
Total goodwill 1,894.1us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= dhr_EnvironmentalMember		 1,937.3us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= dhr_EnvironmentalMember
Life Sciences & Diagnostics    
Goodwill [Line Items]    
Total goodwill 6,331.0us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= dhr_LifeSciencesAndDiagnosticsMember		 6,345.2us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= dhr_LifeSciencesAndDiagnosticsMember
Dental    
Goodwill [Line Items]    
Total goodwill 3,047.4us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= dhr_DentalMember		 3,142.9us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= dhr_DentalMember
Industrial Technologies    
Goodwill [Line Items]    
Total goodwill $ 2,241.6us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= dhr_IndustrialTechnologiesMember		 $ 2,300.4us-gaap_Goodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= dhr_IndustrialTechnologiesMember