Debt instrument maturity month and year.

No definition available.

Name:	ndsn_DebtInstrumentMaturityMonthAndYear
Namespace Prefix:	ndsn_
Data Type:	xbrli:gYearMonthItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line of credit facility expiration.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ndsn_LineOfCreditFacilityExpiration
Namespace Prefix:	ndsn_
Data Type:	xbrli:gYearMonthItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Long term debt current borrowing capacity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ndsn_LongTermDebtCurrentBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	ndsn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period of agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

States whether the entity was in compliance with the debt covenants throughout the reporting period, and describes facts and circumstances of any compliance failure.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (g)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75038535&loc=d3e64711-112823

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119993939&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775985&loc=d3e28878-108400

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Weighted average interest rate of debt outstanding.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120398452&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400017&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying value as of the balance sheet date of loans payable (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120398452&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16)(a)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400017&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansPayable
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The interest rate applicable to the portion of the carrying amount of long-term borrowings outstanding as of the balance sheet date, including current maturities, which accrues interest at a set, unchanging rate.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingFixedInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of loans payable (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer), excluding current portion.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermLoansPayable
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of Notes with the highest claim on the assets of the issuer in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer). Senior note holders are paid off in full before any payments are made to junior note holders.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400017&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120398452&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SeniorNotes
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of uncollateralized debt obligations (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120398452&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400017&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=ndsn_RevolvingCreditAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=ndsn_SwingLineLoansMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=ndsn_SyndicatedRevolvingCreditAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=ndsn_ThreeYearNotePurchaseAndPrivateShelfAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=ndsn_TrancheOneEuroLoanDueInMarchTwoThousandAndTwentyThreeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis=ndsn_BankOfAmericaMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=ndsn_TrancheTwoEuroLoanDueInMarchTwoThousandAndTwentyThreeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=ndsn_EuroLoanDueTwoThousandAndTwentyThreeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=ndsn_TermLoanFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis=ndsn_GroupOfBanksMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=ndsn_TermLoanDueInSeptemberTwoThousandAndTwentyTwoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=ndsn_TermLoanDueInMarchTwoThousandAndTwentyFourMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=ndsn_SeniorNotesDueFromTwoThousandAndTwentyThreeToTwoThousandAndThirtyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=ndsn_SeniorNotesDueFromTwoThousandAndTwentyToTwoThousandAndTwentySevenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=ndsn_SeniorUnsecuredNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=ndsn_SeniorNotesDueFromTwoThousandAndTwentyToTwoThousandAndTwentyFiveMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Long-term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) € in Thousands		1 Months Ended				9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020 EUR (€)	Apr. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2020 EUR (€)	Oct. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding balance						$ 5,556,000					$ 30,556,000
Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan expiration			2024-04
Debt instrument, covenant compliance description						We were in compliance with all covenants at July 31, 2020, and the amount we could borrow under the facility would not have been limited by any debt covenants.
Revolving credit facility			$ 850,000,000
Credit facility, term			5 years
Outstanding balance						$ 0					0
Revolving Credit Agreement [Member] \| Swing Line Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility			$ 75,000,000
Syndicated Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility expiration			2020-02
Three-year Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan expiration	2020-09
Debt instrument, covenant compliance description						We were in compliance with all covenants at July 31, 2020.
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 150,000,000
Debt instrument, fixed interest rates	2.21%
Period of agreement						3 years
Maximum credit facility							$ 200,000,000	$ 180,000,000
Outstanding balance						$ 5,556,000					30,556,000
Tranche One Euro Loan, Due in March 2023 [Member] \| Bank of America [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan \| €		€ 115,000
Term loan expiration		2023-03
Tranche Two Euro Loan, Due in March 2023 [Member] \| Bank of America [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan \| €		€ 150,000
Term loan expiration		2023-03
Euro Loan, Due 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Euro loan						$ 312,022,000					128,219,000
Euro Loan, Due 2023 [Member] \| Bank of America [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate for borrowings						0.71%				0.71%
Euro loan						$ 312,022,000				€ 265,000
Debt instrument, covenant compliance description						We were in compliance with all covenants at July 31, 2020.
Term Loan Facility [Member] \| Group of Banks [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan			$ 605,000,000			$ 405,000,000
Weighted average interest rate for borrowings						0.82%				0.82%
Debt instrument, covenant compliance description						We were in compliance with all covenants at July 31, 2020.
Term Loan Due in September 2022 [Member] \| Group of Banks [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan						$ 200,000,000
Term Loan Due in March 2024 [Member] \| Group of Banks [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan						$ 205,000,000
Senior Notes, Due 2023-2030 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, covenant compliance description						We were in compliance with all covenants at July 31, 2020.
Debt instrument, face amount				$ 350,000,000
Outstanding balance						$ 350,000,000					350,000,000
Senior Notes, Due 2023-2030 [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan expiration				2023-06
Debt instrument, fixed interest rates				3.71%
Senior Notes, Due 2023-2030 [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan expiration				2030-06
Debt instrument, fixed interest rates				4.17%
Senior Notes, Due 2020-2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding balance						$ 85,714,000					92,857,000
Senior Notes, Due 2020-2027 [Member] \| Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, covenant compliance description						We were in compliance with all covenants at July 31, 2020.
Debt instrument, face amount					$ 100,000,000
Outstanding balance						$ 85,714,000					92,857,000
Senior Notes, Due 2020-2027 [Member] \| Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan expiration					2021-07
Debt instrument, fixed interest rates					2.89%
Senior Notes, Due 2020-2027 [Member] \| Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan expiration					2027-07
Debt instrument, fixed interest rates					3.19%
Senior Notes, Due 2020-2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding balance						$ 109,900,000					140,800,000
Senior Notes, Due 2020-2025 [Member] \| Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, covenant compliance description						We were in compliance with all covenants at July 31, 2020.
Debt instrument, face amount									$ 200,000,000
Outstanding balance						$ 109,900,000					$ 140,800,000
Senior Notes, Due 2020-2025 [Member] \| Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan expiration									2021-07
Debt instrument, fixed interest rates									2.62%
Senior Notes, Due 2020-2025 [Member] \| Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan expiration									2025-07
Debt instrument, fixed interest rates									3.13%