| **Operating Segments and Geographic Area Data - Reportable Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands** | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------|-----------------|
||
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                          |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Net external sales                                                                                      | $ 558,525      | $ 538,181       | $ 529,478 | $ 494,916 | $ 585,451 | $ 559,746 | $ 551,119 | $ 497,910 | $ 2,121,100 | $ 2,194,226 | $ 2,254,668 |
| Operating profit (loss)                                                                                 |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   | 349,545 | 483,113 | 502,579 |
| Identifiable assets                                                                                     | 3,674,656      |            |   |   | 3,516,447 |   |   |   | 3,674,656 | 3,516,447 | 3,421,012 |
| Property, plant and equipment expenditures                                                              |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   | 50,535 | 64,244 | 89,790 |
| Operating Segments                                                                                      |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                          |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Net external sales                                                                                      |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   | 2,121,100 | 2,194,226 | 2,254,668 |
| Depreciation and amortization                                                                           |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   | 113,302 | 110,244 | 108,407 |
| Operating profit (loss)                                                                                 |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   | 349,545 | 483,113 | 502,579 |
| Identifiable assets                                                                                     | 3,680,385      |            |   |   | 3,519,907 |   |   |   | 3,680,385 | 3,519,907 | 3,428,922 |
| Property, plant and equipment expenditures                                                              |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   | 50,535 | 64,244 | 89,790 |
| Operating Segments | Industrial Precision Solutions                                                     |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                          |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Net external sales                                                                                      |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   | 1,143,423 | 1,208,376 | 1,215,302 |
| Depreciation and amortization                                                                           |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   | 38,939 | 38,333 | 37,763 |
| Operating profit (loss)                                                                                 |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   | 208,028 | 329,054 | 315,048 |
| Identifiable assets                                                                                     | 882,946        |            |   |   | 997,460 |   |   |   | 882,946 | 997,460 | 951,784 |
| Property, plant and equipment expenditures                                                              |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   | 18,798 | 30,400 | 55,457 |
| Operating Segments | Advanced Technology Solutions                                                      |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                          |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Net external sales                                                                                      |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   | 977,677 | 985,850 | 1,039,366 |
| Depreciation and amortization                                                                           |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   | 64,543 | 62,836 | 62,594 |
| Operating profit (loss)                                                                                 |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   | 191,602 | 205,609 | 244,880 |
| Identifiable assets                                                                                     | 1,849,391      |            |   |   | 1,740,259 |   |   |   | 1,849,391 | 1,740,259 | 1,713,404 |
| Property, plant and equipment expenditures                                                              |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   | 31,737 | 26,010 | 16,205 |
| Corporate                                                                                               |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                          |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Net external sales                                                                                      |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Depreciation and amortization                                                                           |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   | 9,820 | 9,075 | 8,050 |
| Operating profit (loss)                                                                                 |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   | (50,085) | (51,550) | (57,349) |
| Identifiable assets                                                                                     | $ 948,048      |            |   |   | $ 782,188 |   |   |   | 948,048 | 782,188 | 763,734 |
| Property, plant and equipment expenditures                                                              |           |            |   |   |   |   |   |   | $ 0 | $ 7,834 | $ 18,128 |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.
+ References
Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(11)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120398452&loc=d3e534808-122878Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08(g)(1)(ii)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120395691&loc=d3e23780-122690Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (f) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75031198&loc=d3e14064-108612Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (bb) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121559654&loc=d3e5710-111685Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 25 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116870748&loc=SL6758485-165988Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8933-108599Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 22 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8736-108599Reference 8: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(12)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400017&loc=d3e572229-122910Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114001798&loc=d3e33918-111571Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 30 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8906-108599
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_Assets**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 22 -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8736-108599Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121586364&loc=d3e3602-108585
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 31 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8924-108599Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 30 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8906-108599Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8933-108599Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph (f) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8933-108599Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 22 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8736-108599
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale; includes cash outflows to pay for construction of self-constructed assets.
+ References
Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121586364&loc=d3e3213-108585
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount, excluding tax collected from customer, of revenue from satisfaction of performance obligation by transferring promised good or service to customer. Tax collected from customer is tax assessed by governmental authority that is both imposed on and concurrent with specific revenue-producing transaction, including, but not limited to, sales, use, value added and excise.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 30 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8906-108599Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 40 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e9031-108599Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 41 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e9038-108599Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8933-108599Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8933-108599Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 606 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121604090&loc=SL49130543-203045Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 22 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8736-108599Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 22 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8736-108599Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 280 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 42 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e9054-108599Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 606 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121604090&loc=SL49130545-203045Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 924 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB Topic 11.L) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6472922&loc=d3e499488-122856
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                  |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis=us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                                  |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=ndsn_AdhesiveDispensingSystemsMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                                  |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=ndsn_AdvancedTechnologySystemsMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                    |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis=us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |