Fair Value Measurements (Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2014		Dec. 28, 2012
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	$ 16,743,000		$ 13,220,000
Foreign Currency Contract, Asset, Fair Value Disclosure	196,000		343,000
Fair Value, Liabilities	19,581,000		15,530,000
Foreign Currency Contracts, Liability, Fair Value Disclosure	635,000		420,000
Maximum payment under all contingent consideration arrangements	13,700,000
Level I [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	16,547,000		12,877,000
Fair Value, Liabilities	16,545,000		12,875,000
Level II [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	196,000		343,000
Fair Value, Liabilities	635,000		420,000
Level III [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Liabilities	2,401,000		2,235,000
Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	2,000	[1]	2,000	[1]
Money Market Funds [Member] | Level I [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	2,000	[1]	2,000	[1]
Deferred Compensation Plan Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	16,545,000	[2]	12,875,000	[2]
Deferred Compensation Plan Assets [Member] | Level I [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	16,545,000	[2]	12,875,000	[2]
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	196,000	[3]	343,000	[3]
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member] | Level II [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	196,000	[3]	343,000	[3]
Deferred Compensation Plan Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Liabilities	16,545,000	[2]	12,875,000	[2]
Deferred Compensation Plan Liabilities [Member] | Level I [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Liabilities	16,545,000	[2]	12,875,000	[2]
Deferred Compensation Plan Liabilities [Member] | Level II [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Liabilities			0	[2]
Derivative Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Liabilities	635,000	[3]	420,000	[3]
Derivative Liabilities [Member] | Level II [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Liabilities	635,000	[3]	420,000	[3]
Contingent Consideration Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Liabilities	2,401,000	[4]	2,235,000	[4]
Contingent Consideration Liabilities [Member] | Level III [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Liabilities	$ 2,401,000	[4]	$ 2,235,000	[4]

[1] The money market funds are highly liquid investments. The fair values are determined using observable quoted prices in active markets. Money market funds are included in Cash and cash equivalents on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

[2] The Company maintains a self-directed, non-qualified deferred compensation plan for certain executives and other highly compensated employees. The plan assets and liabilities are invested in actively traded mutual funds and individual stocks valued using observable quoted prices in active markets. Deferred compensation plan assets and liabilities are included in Other non-current assets and Other non-current liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

[3] Derivative assets and liabilities primarily represent forward currency exchange contracts. The Company typically enters into these contracts to minimize the short-term impact of foreign currency exchange rates on certain trade and inter-company receivables and payables. Derivative assets and liabilities are included in Other current assets and Other current liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

[4] Contingent consideration liability represents arrangements to pay the former owners of certain companies that Trimble acquired. The undiscounted maximum payment under the arrangements is $13.7 million at the end of fiscal 2013, based on future revenues or gross margins. Contingent consideration liability is included on Other current liabilities and Other non-current liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.