Fair Value Measurements (Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Jan. 01, 2016	Jan. 02, 2015
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets		$ 31.0	$ 30.4
Fair Value, Liabilities		29.8	24.3
Maximum payment under all contingent consideration arrangements		21.4
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets		21.1	19.2
Fair Value, Liabilities		21.1	19.2
Level II [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets		2.9	2.9
Fair Value, Liabilities		2.1	1.4
Level III [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets		7.0	8.3
Fair Value, Liabilities		6.6	3.7
Deferred Compensation Plan Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	[1]	21.1	19.2
Deferred Compensation Plan Assets [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	[1]	21.1	19.2
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	[2]	2.9	2.9
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	[2]		0.0
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member] | Level II [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	[2]	2.9	2.9
Contingent Consideration Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	[3]	7.0	8.3
Contingent Consideration Assets [Member] | Level II [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	[3]		0.0
Contingent Consideration Assets [Member] | Level III [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Assets	[3]	7.0	8.3
Deferred Compensation Plan Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Liabilities	[1]	21.1	19.2
Deferred Compensation Plan Liabilities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Liabilities	[1]	21.1	19.2
Deferred Compensation Plan Liabilities [Member] | Level II [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Liabilities	[1]		0.0
Derivative Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Liabilities	[2]	2.1	1.4
Derivative Liabilities [Member] | Level II [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Liabilities	[2]	2.1	1.4
Contingent Consideration Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Liabilities	[4]	6.6	3.7
Contingent Consideration Liabilities [Member] | Level III [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Liabilities	[4]	6.6	$ 3.7
Minimum [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Business Divestiture, Contingent Consideration, Asset		$ 3.5

[1] 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, respectively, on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

[2] 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.

[3] 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 $3.5 million. Contingent consideration assets are included in Other non-current assets on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

[4] Contingent consideration liabilities represents arrangements to pay the former owners of certain companies that Trimble acquired. The undiscounted maximum payment under the arrangements is $21.4 million at the end of fiscal 2015, based on future revenues, gross margins and other milestones. Contingent consideration liabilities is included on Other current liabilities and Other non-current liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.