Earnings Per Share (Schedule Of Computation Of Earnings Per Share And Effect On Weighted-Average Number Of Shares) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Jun. 28, 2013	Mar. 29, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012	Sep. 28, 2012	Jun. 29, 2012	Mar. 30, 2012	Jan. 03, 2014	Dec. 28, 2012	Dec. 30, 2011
Net income attributable to Trimble Navigation Ltd.	$ 59,997	$ 54,469	$ 54,581	$ 49,808	$ 33,185	$ 53,364	$ 53,692	$ 50,818	$ 218,855	$ 191,060	$ 150,755
Weighted average number of common shares used in basic earnings per share									256,648	251,132	245,450
Common stock options and restricted stock units									4,558	5,642	6,816
Weighted average number of common shares and dilutive potential common shares used in diluted earnings per share									261,206	256,774	252,266
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.23	$ 0.21	$ 0.21	$ 0.20	$ 0.13	$ 0.21	$ 0.21	$ 0.20	$ 0.85	$ 0.76	$ 0.61
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.23	$ 0.21	$ 0.21	$ 0.19	$ 0.13	$ 0.21	$ 0.21	$ 0.20	$ 0.84	$ 0.74	$ 0.60