Restructuring, Net - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012		Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 4,798,000	$ 1,500,000	$ 4,463,000	[1]	$ 6,268,000	$ 5,219,000	[1]
Global supply chain operations
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of workforce reduction	140	62
E-Business reporting unit
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	800,000
Number of workforce reduction	15
IT organization
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of workforce reduction			5
Restructuring charge related to workforce reduction			400,000
ModusLink PTS business
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge related to contractual obligations			400,000
Americas
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	1,000,000	300,000
Asia
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	1,300,000	700,000
Europe
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	1,700,000	500,000
Number of workforce reduction			48
Restructuring charge related to workforce reduction			3,700,000
Raleigh
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of workforce reduction		9
Restructuring charge related to workforce reduction		200,000
North Carolina
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of workforce reduction		9
Restructuring charge related to workforce reduction		100,000
Restructuring charge related to contractual obligations		100,000
China
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of workforce reduction		144
Restructuring charge related to workforce reduction		$ 500,000

[1] As Restated