Quarterly Information (unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]

In millions, except per share amounts	First			Second			Third			Fourth
2011
Total revenues	$	1,094		$	1,310		$	1,401		$	1,638
Gross margin	210			270			292			363
Operating income (loss)	8			49			18			(10		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	11			36			16			(13		)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	2			(3		)	—			4
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1			2			(1		)	(3		)
Net income (loss) attributable to NCR	$	13		$	33		$	16		$	(9	)
Income (loss) per share attributable to NCR common stockholders:
Income (loss) per common share from continuing operations
Basic	$	0.07		$	0.23		$	0.10		$	(0.08	)
Diluted	$	0.07		$	0.22		$	0.10		$	(0.08	)
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic	$	0.08		$	0.21		$	0.10		$	(0.06	)
Diluted	$	0.08		$	0.21		$	0.10		$	(0.06	)
2010
Total revenues	$	1,027		$	1,175		$	1,205		$	1,403
Gross margin	190			241			247			286
Operating (loss) income	(17		)	33			36			54
(Loss) income from continuing operations, net of tax	(18		)	22			79			33
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax	(1		)	9			4			6
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	2			—			2			(1		)
Net (loss) income attributable to NCR	$	(19	)	$	31		$	83		$	39
(Loss) income per share attributable to NCR common stockholders:
(Loss) income per common share from continuing operations
Basic	$	(0.11	)	$	0.14		$	0.49		$	0.20
Diluted	$	(0.11	)	$	0.14		$	0.49		$	0.20
Net (loss) income per common share
Basic	$	(0.12	)	$	0.19		$	0.52		$	0.24
Diluted	$	(0.12	)	$	0.19		$	0.51		$	0.24