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. 02, 2015	Oct. 03, 2014	Jul. 04, 2014	Apr. 04, 2014	Jan. 03, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Jun. 28, 2013	Mar. 29, 2013	Jan. 02, 2015	Jan. 03, 2014	Dec. 28, 2012
Net income attributable to Trimble Navigation Ltd.	$ 55,828us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 11,832us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 77,834us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 68,624us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 59,997us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 54,469us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 54,581us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 49,808us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 214,118us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 218,855us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 191,060us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Weighted average number of common shares used in basic earnings per share									260,103	256,648	251,132
Effect of dilutive securities									4,353	4,558	5,642
Weighted average number of common shares and dilutive potential common shares used in diluted earnings per share									264,456	261,206	256,774
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.22us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.05us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.30us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.26us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.23us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.21us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.21us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.20us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.82us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.85us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.76us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.21us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.04us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.29us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.26us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.23us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.21us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.21us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.19us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.81us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.84us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.74us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of share based payment arrangements using the treasury stock method.

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The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

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Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

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