| **Information on Business Segments (Indentifiable Intangibles and Goodwill by Segment) (Details) (USD $)In Millions, unless otherwise specified**                                            | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------|---------------|
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                               |          |               |   |  |
| Assets Including Allocation of Identifiable Intangible Assets and Goodwill                                                                                                                   | $ 2,507.7     |               | $ 1,116.7 |  |
| Segment operating income                                                                                                                                                                     |          |               |   |  |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                               |          |               |   |  |
| Assets Including Allocation of Identifiable Intangible Assets and Goodwill                                                                                                                   | 2,317.7       |               | 906.0 |  |
| ACCO Brands North America                                                                                                                                                                    |          |               |   |  |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                               |          |               |   |  |
| Assets Including Allocation of Identifiable Intangible Assets and Goodwill                                                                                                                   | 1,398.6       | [1]           | 433.4 | [1] |
| ACCO Brands International                                                                                                                                                                    |          |               |   |  |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                               |          |               |   |  |
| Assets Including Allocation of Identifiable Intangible Assets and Goodwill                                                                                                                   | 814.3         | [1]           | 372.2 | [1] |
| Computer Products Group                                                                                                                                                                      |          |               |   |  |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                               |          |               |   |  |
| Assets Including Allocation of Identifiable Intangible Assets and Goodwill                                                                                                                   | 104.8         | [1]           | 100.4 | [1] |
| Unallocated Assets                                                                                                                                                                           |          |               |   |  |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                               |          |               |   |  |
| Assets Including Allocation of Identifiable Intangible Assets and Goodwill                                                                                                                   | 188.6         |               | 203.5 |  |
| Corporate                                                                                                                                                                                    |          |               |   |  |
| **Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]**                                                                                                                                               |          |               |   |  |
| Assets Including Allocation of Identifiable Intangible Assets and Goodwill                                                                                                                   | $ 1.4         | [1]           | $ 7.2 | [1] |
|                                                                                                                                                                                              |
| [1]Represents total assets, excluding: intercompany balances, cash, deferred taxes, prepaid pension assets, prepaid debt issuance costs and joint ventures accounted for on an equity basis. |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Segment Assets including Identifiable Intangible Assets and Goodwill
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**abd_SegmentAssetsIncludingIdentifiableIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwill**Namespace Prefix:**abd_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                        |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |