Fair value measurements (Details Textuals)	12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2011
Fair value measurements (Textuals) [Abstract]
Foreign currency forward contracts maturities	90 days
Senior management and other highly compensated employees salary and incentive compensation deferrals percentage maximum	100.00%

Deferred compensation arrangement with individual employee contribution percentage maximum.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	ndsn_
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration