<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <Version>2.4.0.8</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>301</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>339</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>102</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>7</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004501 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Parenthetical</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Parenthetical</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - Pension Benefit Plan Accounting Methodology Changes (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/PensionBenefitPlanAccountingMethodologyChangesNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension Benefit Plan Accounting Methodology Changes (Notes)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - Supplemental Financial Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/SupplementalFinancialInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Financial Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - Acquisitions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/Acquisitions</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/GoodwillAndPurchasedIntangibleAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - Debt Obligations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/DebtObligations</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt Obligations</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - Stock Compensation Plans</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/StockCompensationPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Compensation Plans</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plans</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2112100 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113100 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share and Share Repurchases</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/EarningsPerShareAndShareRepurchases</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share and Share Repurchases</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2114100 - Disclosure - Derivatives and Hedging Instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/DerivativesAndHedgingInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives and Hedging Instruments</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2115100 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/FairValueOfAssetsAndLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116100 - Disclosure - Segment Information and Concentrations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/SegmentInformationAndConcentrations</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information and Concentrations</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2117100 - Disclosure - Discontinued Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/DiscontinuedOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Discontinued Operations</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2118100 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Notes)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2120100 - Disclosure - Condensed Consolidating Guarantor Information (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/CondensedConsolidatingGuarantorInformationNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidating Guarantor Information (Notes)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2201201 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2302301 - Disclosure - Pension Benefit Plan Accounting Methodology Changes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/PensionBenefitPlanAccountingMethodologyChangesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension Benefit Plan Accounting Methodology Changes (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2305301 - Disclosure - Supplemental Financial Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/SupplementalFinancialInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Financial Information (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2306301 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/AcquisitionsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/GoodwillAndPurchasedIntangibleAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2308301 - Disclosure - Debt Obligations Debt Obligations (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/DebtObligationsDebtObligationsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt Obligations Debt Obligations (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310301 - Disclosure - Stock Compensation Plans (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/StockCompensationPlansTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Compensation Plans (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2311301 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2312301 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313301 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share and Share Repurchases (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/EarningsPerShareAndShareRepurchasesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share and Share Repurchases (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2314301 - Disclosure - Derivatives and Hedging Instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/DerivativesAndHedgingInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives and Hedging Instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2315301 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/FairValueOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2316301 - Disclosure - Segment Information and Concentrations (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/SegmentInformationAndConcentrationsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information and Concentrations (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2317301 - Disclosure - Discontinued Operations (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Discontinued Operations (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2318301 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2320301 - Disclosure - Condensed Consolidating Guarantor Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/CondensedConsolidatingGuarantorInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidating Guarantor Information (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401402 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Subsequent Events (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesSubsequentEventsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Subsequent Events (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401403 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Related Party Transactions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesRelatedPartyTransactionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Related Party Transactions (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402402 - Disclosure - Pension Benefit Plan Accounting Methodology Changes Changes in Accounting Methodology (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/PensionBenefitPlanAccountingMethodologyChangesChangesInAccountingMethodologyDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension Benefit Plan Accounting Methodology Changes Changes in Accounting Methodology (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402403 - Disclosure - Pension Benefit Plan Accounting Methodology Changes Statement of Operations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/PensionBenefitPlanAccountingMethodologyChangesStatementOfOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension Benefit Plan Accounting Methodology Changes Statement of Operations (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402404 - Disclosure - Pension Benefit Plan Accounting Methodology Changes Balance Sheet (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/PensionBenefitPlanAccountingMethodologyChangesBalanceSheetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension Benefit Plan Accounting Methodology Changes Balance Sheet (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402405 - Disclosure - Pension Benefit Plan Accounting Methodology Changes Cash Flows (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/PensionBenefitPlanAccountingMethodologyChangesCashFlowsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension Benefit Plan Accounting Methodology Changes Cash Flows (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405402 - Disclosure - Supplemental Financial Information - Accounts Receivable (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/SupplementalFinancialInformationAccountsReceivableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Financial Information - Accounts Receivable (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405403 - Disclosure - Supplemental Financial Information - Inventory (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/SupplementalFinancialInformationInventoryDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Financial Information - Inventory (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405404 - Disclosure - Supplemental Financial Information - Other Current Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/SupplementalFinancialInformationOtherCurrentAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Financial Information - Other Current Assets (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406402 - Disclosure - Acquisitions  - Acquisitions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/AcquisitionsAcquisitionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions  - Acquisitions (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets - Schedule of Goodwill (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/GoodwillAndPurchasedIntangibleAssetsScheduleOfGoodwillDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets - Schedule of Goodwill (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407403 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets - Schedule of Acquired Intangibles (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/GoodwillAndPurchasedIntangibleAssetsScheduleOfAcquiredIntangiblesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets - Schedule of Acquired Intangibles (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407404 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets - Amorization Expense (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/GoodwillAndPurchasedIntangibleAssetsAmorizationExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets - Amorization Expense (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408402 - Disclosure - Debt Obligations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/DebtObligationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt Obligations (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409401 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - Stock Compensation Plans (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/StockCompensationPlansDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Compensation Plans (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410403 - Disclosure - Stock Compensation Plans Fair value assumptions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/StockCompensationPlansFairValueAssumptionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Compensation Plans Fair value assumptions (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411402 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plans (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412402 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies Loss Contingencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesLossContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies Loss Contingencies (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412403 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Warranty Reserve (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesWarrantyReserveDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Warranty Reserve (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413402 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share and Share Repurchases (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/EarningsPerShareAndShareRepurchasesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share and Share Repurchases (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413403 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share and Share Repurchases - Anidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of EPS (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/EarningsPerShareAndShareRepurchasesAnidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEpsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share and Share Repurchases - Anidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of EPS (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414402 - Disclosure - Derivatives and Hedging Instruments - Derivative Fair Values (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/DerivativesAndHedgingInstrumentsDerivativeFairValuesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives and Hedging Instruments - Derivative Fair Values (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414403 - Disclosure - Derivatives and Hedging Instruments - Gain (Loss) on Derivatives (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/DerivativesAndHedgingInstrumentsGainLossOnDerivativesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives and Hedging Instruments - Gain (Loss) on Derivatives (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414404 - Disclosure - Derivatives and Hedging Instruments - Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/DerivativesAndHedgingInstrumentsGainLossOnDerivativesNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives and Hedging Instruments - Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415402 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/FairValueOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416402 - Disclosure - Segment Information and Concentrations - Revenue and Operating Income By Segments  (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/SegmentInformationAndConcentrationsRevenueAndOperatingIncomeBySegmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information and Concentrations - Revenue and Operating Income By Segments  (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416403 - Disclosure - Segment Information and Concentrations - Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/SegmentInformationAndConcentrationsRevenueFromExternalCustomersByProductsAndServicesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information and Concentrations - Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417402 - Disclosure - Discontinued Operations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Discontinued Operations (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418402 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeChangesInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418403 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Reclassifications (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeReclassificationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Reclassifications (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420402 - Disclosure - Condensed Consolidating Guarantor Information Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/CondensedConsolidatingGuarantorInformationStatementOfOperationsAndComprehensiveIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidating Guarantor Information Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420403 - Disclosure - Condensed Consolidating Guarantor Information Balance Sheets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/CondensedConsolidatingGuarantorInformationBalanceSheetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidating Guarantor Information Balance Sheets (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420404 - Disclosure - Condensed Consolidating Guarantor Information Cash Flows (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.ncr.com/role/CondensedConsolidatingGuarantorInformationCashFlowsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidating Guarantor Information Cash Flows (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2408402 - Disclosure - Debt Obligations (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1001000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1002000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1004000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Sep. 30, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1004501 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Parenthetical</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1005000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>ncr-20130930.xml</File>
    <File>ncr-20130930.xsd</File>
    <File>ncr-20130930_cal.xml</File>
    <File>ncr-20130930_def.xml</File>
    <File>ncr-20130930_lab.xml</File>
    <File>ncr-20130930_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
