Fair Value Measurements (Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 03, 2015		Jan. 02, 2015
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Asset	$ 8.3	[1]	$ 8.3	[1]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	30.8		30.4
Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure	0		0
Foreign Currency Contracts, Liability, Fair Value Disclosure			0
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	2.3	[2]	3.7	[2]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	24.0		24.3
Other Current and Non Current Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	10.5
Deferred Compensation Plan Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value	20.7	[3]	19.2	[3]
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign Currency Contract, Asset, Fair Value Disclosure	1.8	[4]	2.9	[4]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	20.7		19.2
Foreign Currency Contracts, Liability, Fair Value Disclosure			0
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability			0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	20.7		19.2
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Deferred Compensation Plan Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value	20.7	[3]	19.2	[3]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	1.8		2.9
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability			0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	1.0		1.4
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign Currency Contract, Asset, Fair Value Disclosure	1.8	[4]	2.9	[4]
Fair Value Inputs, Level III [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Asset	8.3	[1]	8.3	[1]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	8.3		8.3
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	2.3	[2]	3.7	[2]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	2.3		3.7
Deferred Compensation Plan Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure	20.7	[3]	19.2	[3]
Deferred Compensation Plan Liabilities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure	20.7	[3]	19.2	[3]
Derivative Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign Currency Contracts, Liability, Fair Value Disclosure	1.0	[4]	1.4	[4]
Derivative Liabilities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign Currency Contracts, Liability, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 1.0	[4]	$ 1.4	[4]

[1] Contingent consideration assets represents arrangements for buyers to pay the Company for certain businesses that it has divested. The fair value is determined based on the Company's expectations of future receipts. The minimum amount to be received under these arrangements is $4.2 million. Contingent consideration assets are included in Other receivables and Other non-current assets on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

[2] Contingent consideration liabilities represent arrangements to pay the former owners of certain companies that Trimble acquired. The undiscounted maximum payment under the arrangements is $10.5 million at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2015, based on estimated future revenues or other milestones based on quantities sold. Contingent consideration liabilities are included in Other current liabilities and Other non-current liabilities on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

[3] 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 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

[4] 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 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.