Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	May 11, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Oct. 01, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010	May 31, 2011
Stock split ratio, number of shares per one share	2
Stock split, date dividend paid	Jun. 10, 2010
Stock split, dividend record date	May 25, 2010
Repurchase of common stock authorized	20,000,000
Stock to be repurchased		20,000,000	20,000,000
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	45,000,000
Maximum number of authorized shares grantable in any form other than stock options or stock appreciation rights		14,000,000	14,000,000
Stock options vesting period, years			5
Stock option term, years			10
Vesting period of restricted shares issued under Tektronix 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, in years					five
Common shares reserved for issuance under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan		20,000,000	20,000,000
Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised			$ 73	$ 113
Cash receipts due to exercise of options			76	94
Recognition of excess tax benefits from exercise of employee stock options		5	22
Tax benefit related to the vesting of restricted stock units		2	6
Total number of shares withheld sufficient to fund minimum tax withholding requirements related to the vesting of restricted stock units			120,730
Total value of shares withheld sufficient to fund minimum tax withholding requirements related to the vesting of restricted stock units			6
Restricted Shares [Member]
Stock options vesting period, years			5
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Total unrecognized compensation cost		126	126
Weighted average period for cost to be recognized (in years)			3
Stock Options [Member]
Total unrecognized compensation cost		$ 136	$ 136
Weighted average period for cost to be recognized (in years)			2