Information on Business Segments (Operating Income by Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income		$ 79.6	$ 58.7	$ 45.4	$ 9.3	$ 59.7	$ 55.7	$ 45.4	$ 6.5	$ 193.0	[1]	$ 167.3	[1]	$ 163.5	[1]
Interest expense										41.1		49.3		44.5
Interest income										(5.8)		(6.4)		(6.6)
Equity in earnings of joint-venture										0.0		(2.1)		(7.9)
Other (income) expense, net										(0.4)		1.4		2.1
Income before income tax										158.1		125.1		131.4
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	[1]									243.6		215.3		198.7
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income										(50.6)		(48.0)		(35.2)	[2]
Transaction costs										5.0		10.5		0.6
ACCO Brands North America | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income										155.6		153.3		151.6
ACCO Brands EMEA | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income										37.1		12.6		18.0
ACCO Brands International | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income										$ 50.9		$ 49.4		$ 29.1

[1] Operating income as presented in the segment table above is defined as i) net sales; ii) less cost of products sold; iii) less advertising, selling, general and administrative expenses; iv) less amortization of intangibles; and v) less restructuring charges.

[2] Corporate operating loss in 2017, 2016 and 2015 includes transaction costs of $5.0 million, $10.5 million and $0.6 million respectively, primarily for legal and due diligence expenditures associated with the Esselte and PA acquisitions.