Benefits paid for lump sum settlement payments.

No definition available.

Name:	ndsn_BenefitsPaidForLumpSumSettlementPayments
Namespace Prefix:	ndsn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Defined contribution plan vesting period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ndsn_DefinedContributionPlanVestingPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	ndsn_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Plan assets as percentage of world wide pension assets.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	ndsn_RetirementPensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansTextualsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	ndsn_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The employer's best estimate, as soon as it can be reasonably determined, of contributions expected to be paid to the plan during the next fiscal year beginning after the date of the latest statement of financial position. Estimated contributions may be presented in the aggregate combining (1) contributions required by funding regulations or laws, (2) discretionary contributions, and (3) noncash contributions.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph g

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEstimatedFutureEmployerContributionsInNextFiscalYear
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of employer shares or related party shares included in plan assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph n

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNumberOfSharesOfEquitySecuritiesIssuedByEmployerAndRelatedPartiesIncludedInPlanAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of net (gain) loss recognized in net periodic benefit cost as a result of an irrevocable action that relieves the employer (or the plan) of primary responsibility for a benefit obligation and eliminates significant risks related to the obligation and the assets used to effect the settlement. Examples of transactions that constitute a settlement include (a) making lump-sum cash payments to plan participants in exchange for their rights to receive specified benefits and (b) purchasing nonparticipating annuity contracts to cover vested benefits.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 88

-Paragraph 3

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 106

-Paragraph 518

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 87

-Paragraph 264

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph h

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToSettlements
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Target allocation percentage of investments in debt securities to total plan assets presented on a weighted-average basis as of the measurement date of the latest statement of financial position.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph d(2)

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetAllocationPercentageOfAssetsDebtSecurities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Target allocation percentage of investments in equity securities to total plan assets presented on a weighted-average basis as of the measurement date of the latest statement of financial position.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetAllocationPercentageOfAssetsEquitySecurities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of the cost recognized during the period for defined contribution plans.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 11

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Retirement, pension and other postretirement plans (Details Textuals) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of target rate in return seeking assets in fixed income	50.00%
Percentage of target rate in fixed income	50.00%
Retirement Pension And Other Postretirement Plans (Textuals) [Abstract]
Defined contribution plan vesting period	3 years
Expenses on retirement plans	$ 8,594	$ 7,945	$ 7,703
Investments in common shares	0	0
Pension plan, United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plans, settlement payments		17,151
Net periodic pension cost for settlement losses	0	8,022	1,629
Percentage of World wide pension assets	85.00%
Components of net periodic pension cost [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic pension cost for settlement losses		8,212	1,916
Employer contribution in next fiscal year	12,500
Pension plan International [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic pension cost for settlement losses	0	190	287
Percentage of World wide pension assets	15.00%
Components of net postretirement benefit cost [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer contribution in next fiscal year	$ 1,900