v2.4.0.8

Employee Benefits (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended
--- | ---
Mar. 31, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |
Benefit cost | $ 1 | $ 1
Common stock shares reserved for future issuance | 1.3 |
Compensation expenses | 1 | 1
Non-U.S. Benefit Plans [Member] |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |
Cost or expenses included in compensation and benefit expense | 5 | 5
U.S. Defined Contribution Savings Plan [Member] |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |
Percentage of employer contributions | 100.00% |
Percentage of eligible employee contributions receiving employer contributions | 6.00% | 4.00%
Defined contributions plan expense | 2 | 1
Employer retirement contributions [Member] |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |
Defined contributions plan expense | $ 1 | $ 1
Share-based compensation [Member] |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |
Common stock shares reserved for future issuance | 3.1 |
Offering periods for ESPP shares, months | 6 months |
Percentage of fair market value of common stock | 85.00% |
Percentage of discount to employees on purchase of common stock under ESPP | 15.00% |

X
- Definition We sponsor a voluntary defined contribution savings plan, or 401(k) Plan, for U.S. employees. Employees are immediately eligible to make contributions to the plan and are also eligible for an employer contribution match at an amount equal to 100.0% of the first 4.0% of eligible employee contributions. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ndaq_MaximumPercentageEligibilityOfEmployeeOnEmployerContributions
Namespace Prefix: | ndaq_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Offering periods for ESPP shares, months + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ndaq_OfferingPeriodsForEsppSharesMonths
Namespace Prefix: | ndaq_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Our ESPP allows eligible U.S. and non-U.S. employees to purchase a limited number of shares of our common stock at six-month intervals, called offering periods, at 85.0% of the lower of the fair market value on the first or the last day of each offering period. The 15.0% discount given to our employees is included in compensation and benefits expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ndaq_PercentageOfDiscountToEmployeesOnPurchaseOfCommonStockUnderEmployeeStockPurchasePlan
Namespace Prefix: | ndaq_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Percentage that employer matches of the employee first 4% of eligible contributions. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ndaq_PercentageOfEmployerContributions
Namespace Prefix: | ndaq_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Our ESPP allows eligible U.S. and non-U.S. employees to purchase a limited number of shares of our common stock at six-month intervals, called offering periods, at 85.0% of the lower of the fair market value on the first or the last day of each offering period. The 15.0% discount given to our employees is included in compensation and benefits expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ndaq_PercentageOfFairMarketValueOfCommonStock
Namespace Prefix: | ndaq_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Aggregate number of common shares reserved for future issuance. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The total amount of net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit plans for the period. Periodic benefit costs include the following components: service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain (loss), prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain (loss) due to settlements or curtailments. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (h) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28361610&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of the cost recognized during the period for defined contribution plans. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 70 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6414718&loc=d3e28014-114942 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of plan compensation cost recognized during the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 40 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6418621&loc=d3e17540-113929 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_EmployeeStockOwnershipPlanESOPCompensationExpense
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of pension and other (such as medical, dental and life insurance) postretirement benefit costs recognized during the period for (1) defined benefit plans (periodic benefit costs include the following components: service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain (loss) on assets, prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain (loss) due to settlements or curtailments) and for (2) defined contribution plans (to the extent that a plan's defined contributions to an individual's account are to be made for periods in which that individual renders services, the net cost for a period is the contribution called for in that period; if a plan calls for contributions for periods after an individual retires or terminates, the estimated cost is accrued during the employee's service period). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 70 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6414718&loc=d3e28014-114942 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitExpense
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration