Operating Revenue and Operating Income by Operating Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenue	$ 490.4	$ 473.8	$ 1,450.1	$ 1,377.5
Operating income	121.6	110.2	345.3	320.3
US Consumer Information Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenue	202.0	194.0	577.0	551.7
Operating income	74.0	72.2	206.5	200.5
International
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenue	118.6	122.5	376.6	356.9
Operating income	34.7	30.8	98.7	89.6
TALX
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenue	102.8	99.1	298.5	293.4
Operating income	23.6	22.7	66.1	67.2
North America Personal Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenue	45.5	39.9	135.1	119.9
Operating income	15.0	12.7	40.2	33.0
North America Commercial Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenue	21.5	18.3	62.9	55.6
Operating income	5.0	3.3	14.5	11.4
General Corporate Expense
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	$ (30.7)	$ (31.5)	$ (80.7)	$ (81.4)