Comprehensive Income (Components Of Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Jan. 01, 2010
Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 148,909	$ 103,613	$ 63,963
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of $(3,899) in 2011, $(223) in 2010, and $(2,551) in 2009	(42,328)	354	20,583
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments/actuarial gain (loss)	(559)	(624)	65
Total comprehensive income	106,022	103,343	84,611
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests	(1,846)	(47)	517
Comprehensive income attributable to Trimble Navigation Ltd.	107,868	103,390	84,094
Foreign currency translation adjustments, tax	$ 3,899	$ 223	$ 2,551

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the reporting entity. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, but excludes any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Publisher AICPA

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Glossary Net Income

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-Glossary Other Comprehensive Income

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519514

+ Details

- Definition

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to noncontrolling interests, if any. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the economic entity, including both controlling (parent) and noncontrolling interests. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, including any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into the reporting currency of the reporting entity, net of tax.

+ References

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+ Details

- Definition

Tax effect of the adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into functional currency of the reporting entity. While for technical reasons this element has no balance attribute, the default assumption is a credit balance consistent with its label.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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+ Details