485BPOS

	As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
	January 20, 2016
	Registration No. 333-515
811-07513
	SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
	WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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	FORM N-1A
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	REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933	/ X /
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	Pre-Effective Amendment No.	/ /
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	Post-Effective Amendment No. 225	/ X /
	and	----
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	REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY	/ X /
	ACT OF 1940	----
		----
	Amendment No. 226	/ X /
	(Check appropriate box or boxes)	----
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	PUTNAM FUNDS TRUST
	(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
	One Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02109
	(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
	Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code
	(617) 292-1000
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	It is proposed that this filing will become effective
	(check appropriate box)
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/ /	immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
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/ X /	on December 30, 2015 pursuant to paragraph (b)
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/ /	60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
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/ /	on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
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/ /	75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
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/ /	on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.
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	If appropriate, check the following box:
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/ /	this post-effective amendment designates a new
----	effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
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	ROBERT T. BURNS, Vice President
	PUTNAM FUNDS TRUST
	One Post Office Square
	Boston, Massachusetts 02109
	(Name and address of agent for service)
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	Copy to:
	BRYAN CHEGWIDDEN, Esquire
	ROPES & GRAY LLP
	1211 Avenue of the Americas
	New York, New York 10036
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	This Post-Effective Amendment relates solely to the Registrant's Putnam Emerging
	Markets Equity Fund, Putnam Global Consumer Fund, Putnam Global Energy Fund,
	Putnam Global Financials Fund, Putnam Global Industrials Fund, Putnam Global
	Technology Fund, Putnam Global Telecommunications Fund and Putnam Retirement
	Income Fund Lifestyle 2 series. Information contained in the Registrant's Registration
	Statement relating to any other series of the Registrant is neither amended nor superseded
	hereby.

SIGNATURES 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and has duly caused this Amendment to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Boston, and The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the 20 ^th day of January, 2016.

Putnam Funds Trust 

By: /s/ Jonathan S. Horwitz, Executive Vice President, 

Principal Executive Officer and Compliance Liaison 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated:

Signature	Title
Jameson A. Baxter *	Chair, Board of Trustees
Robert L. Reynolds*	President and Trustee
Jonathan S. Horwitz*	Executive Vice President, Principal Executive Officer and
	Compliance Liaison
Steven D. Krichmar*	Vice President and Principal Financial Officer
Janet C. Smith*	Vice President, Principal Accounting
	Officer and Assistant Treasurer
Liaquat Ahamed*	Trustee
Ravi Akhoury*	Trustee
Barbara M. Baumann*	Trustee
Robert J. Darretta*	Trustee
Katinka Domotorffy*	Trustee
John A. Hill*	Trustee
Paul L. Joskow*	Trustee

C-1 

Kenneth R. Leibler*	Trustee
Robert E. Patterson*	Trustee
George Putnam, III*	Trustee
W. Thomas Stephens*	Trustee

By:	/s/ Jonathan S. Horwitz, as Attorney-in-Fact
	December 24, 2015
*	Signed pursuant to power of attorney filed in Post-
	Effective Amendment No. 150 to the Registrant’s
	Registration Statement on September 28, 2012.

C-2

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Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund

Goal

Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Fees and expenses

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 14 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees - Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund	Class A		Class B		Class C		Class M	Class R	Class Y
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	5.75%		none		none		3.50%	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)	1.00%	[1]	5.00%	[2]	1.00%	[3]	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses - Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund		Class A	Class B	Class C	Class M	Class R	Class Y
Management fees	[1]	0.96%	0.96%	0.96%	0.96%	0.96%	0.96%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.25%	1.00%	1.00%	0.75%	0.50%
Other expenses		0.82%	0.82%	0.82%	0.82%	0.82%	0.82%
Acquired fund fees and expenses		0.01%	0.01%	0.01%	0.01%	0.01%	0.01%
Total annual fund operating expenses		2.04%	2.79%	2.79%	2.54%	2.29%	1.79%
Expense reimbursement	[2]	(0.42%)	(0.42%)	(0.42%)	(0.42%)	(0.42%)	(0.42%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement		1.62%	2.37%	2.37%	2.12%	1.87%	1.37%

Example

The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Only the first year of each period in the example takes into account the expense reimbursement described above. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Expense Example - Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund - USD ($)	Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year	Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years	Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years	Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years
Class A	730	1,140	1,574	2,777
Class B	740	1,126	1,638	2,910
Class C	340	826	1,438	3,089
Class M	558	1,075	1,617	3,095
Class R	190	675	1,188	2,594
Class Y	140	523	931	2,072

Expense Example, No Redemption - Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund - USD ($)	Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year	Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years	Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years	Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years
Class B	240	826	1,438	2,910
Class C	240	826	1,438	3,089

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 157%.

Investments

We invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of emerging market companies that we believe have favorable investment potential. For example, we may purchase stocks of companies with stock prices that reflect a value lower than that which we place on the company. We may also consider other factors that we believe will cause the stock price to rise. Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in equity securities of emerging market companies. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders.

Emerging markets include countries in the MSCI Emerging Market Index or that we consider to be emerging markets based on our evaluation of their level of economic development or the size and experience of their securities markets. We invest significantly in small and midsize companies.

We may consider, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell investments. We may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes.

Risks

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

The value of stocks in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including both general financial market conditions and factors related to a specific company or industry. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies.

The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation or deflation, and may be illiquid.

Our use of derivatives may increase these risks by increasing investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Performance

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.

Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges

Year-to-date performance
through 9/30/15    -14.53%

Best calendar quarter
Q2 2009   33.33%

Worst calendar quarter
Q3 2011    –30.06%

Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/14)

Average Annual Total Returns - Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund	1 Year	5 Years	Since Inception	Inception Date
Class A	(7.02%)	(0.57%)	2.46%	Sep. 29, 2008
Class A | after taxes on distributions	(7.08%)	(1.28%)	1.68%	Sep. 29, 2008
Class A | after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares	(3.72%)	(0.31%)	1.96%	Sep. 29, 2008
Class B	(6.96%)	(0.48%)	2.68%	Sep. 29, 2008
Class C	(3.04%)	(0.14%)	2.67%	Sep. 29, 2008
Class M	(5.27%)	(0.61%)	2.34%	Sep. 29, 2008
Class R	(1.56%)	0.35%	3.18%	Sep. 29, 2008
Class Y	(1.17%)	0.85%	3.70%	Sep. 29, 2008
MSCI Emerging Markets Index (ND) (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes other than withholding taxes on reinvested dividends)	(2.19%)	1.78%	5.92%	Sep. 29, 2008

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

[1] Applies only to certain redemptions of shares bought with no initial sales charge.

[2] This charge is phased out over six years.

[3] This charge is eliminated after one year.

[1] Management fees are subject to a performance adjustment.

[2] Reflects Putnam Investment Management, LLC's contractual obligation to limit certain fund expenses through December 30, 2016. This obligation may be modified or discontinued only with approval of the Board of Trustees.

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Putnam Global Consumer Fund

Goal

Putnam Global Consumer Fund seeks capital appreciation.

Fees and expenses

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 57 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees - Putnam Global Consumer Fund	Class A		Class B		Class C		Class M	Class R	Class Y
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	5.75%		none		none		3.50%	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)	1.00%	[1]	5.00%	[2]	1.00%	[3]	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses - Putnam Global Consumer Fund		Class A	Class B	Class C	Class M	Class R	Class Y
Management fees		0.62%	0.62%	0.62%	0.62%	0.62%	0.62%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.25%	1.00%	1.00%	0.75%	0.50%
Other expenses		0.85%	0.85%	0.85%	0.85%	0.85%	0.85%
Total annual fund operating expenses		1.72%	2.47%	2.47%	2.22%	1.97%	1.47%
Expense reimbursement	[1]	(0.46%)	(0.46%)	(0.46%)	(0.46%)	(0.46%)	(0.46%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement		1.26%	2.01%	2.01%	1.76%	1.51%	1.01%

Example

The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Only the first year of each period in the example takes into account the expense reimbursement described above. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Expense Example - Putnam Global Consumer Fund - USD ($)	Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year	Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years	Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years	Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years
Class A	696	1,043	1,414	2,452
Class B	704	1,026	1,474	2,586
Class C	304	726	1,274	2,771
Class M	523	977	1,458	2,780
Class R	154	574	1,020	2,259
Class Y	103	420	759	1,718

Expense Example, No Redemption - Putnam Global Consumer Fund - USD ($)	Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year	Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years	Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years	Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years
Class B	204	726	1,274	2,586
Class C	204	726	1,274	2,771

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 70%.

Investments

For this non-diversified fund concentrating in the consumer staples and consumer discretionary products and services industries, we invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential. Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in securities of companies in the consumer staples and consumer discretionary products and services industries. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. Potential investments include companies involved in the manufacture, sale or distribution of consumer staples and consumer discretionary products and services. We may purchase stocks of companies with stock prices that reflect a value lower than that which we place on the company. We may also consider other factors that we believe will cause the stock price to rise. We may consider, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell investments. We may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes, and may engage in short sales of securities.

Risks

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

The value of stocks in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including both general financial market conditions and factors related to a specific company or industry. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies. Consumer staples and consumer discretionary products and services industries may be affected by demographic and product trends, competition, economic trends and consumer confidence. Our policy of concentrating on a limited group of industries and the fund’s “non-diversified” status, which means the fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified fund,” can increase the fund’s vulnerability to adverse developments affecting a single industry or issuer, which may result in greater losses and volatility for the fund. The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments (such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation or deflation), and may be or become illiquid. Our use of derivatives may increase these risks by increasing investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations. Our use of short selling may result in losses if the securities appreciate in value.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Performance

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.

Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges

Year-to-date performance
through 9/30/15    0.35%

Best calendar quarter
Q3 2010   18.16%

Worst calendar quarter
Q3 2011    –15.43%

Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/14)

Average Annual Total Returns - Putnam Global Consumer Fund	1 Year	5 Years	Since Inception	Inception Date
Class A	(3.76%)	12.62%	16.05%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class A | after taxes on distributions	(7.13%)	10.66%	14.18%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class A | after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares	(0.38%)	9.79%	12.78%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class B	(3.08%)	12.86%	16.32%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class C	0.43%	13.11%	16.32%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class M	(2.00%)	12.58%	15.93%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class R	1.83%	13.68%	16.91%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class Y	2.41%	14.25%	17.50%	Dec. 18, 2008
MSCI World Consumer Discretionary and Consumer Staples Index (ND) (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes, other than withholding taxes on reinvested dividends)	5.46%	14.50%	16.70%	Dec. 18, 2008

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

[1] Applies only to certain redemptions of shares bought with no initial sales charge.

[2] This charge is phased out over six years.

[3] This charge is eliminated after one year.

[1] Reflects Putnam Investment Management, LLC's contractual obligation to limit certain fund expenses through 12/30/2016. This obligation may be modified or discontinued only with approval of the Board of Trustees.

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Putnam Global Energy Fund

Goal

Putnam Global Energy Fund seeks capital appreciation.

Fees and expenses

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 57 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees - Putnam Global Energy Fund	Class A		Class B		Class C		Class M	Class R	Class Y
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	5.75%		none		none		3.50%	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)	1.00%	[1]	5.00%	[2]	1.00%	[3]	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses - Putnam Global Energy Fund		Class A	Class B	Class C	Class M	Class R	Class Y
Management fees		0.62%	0.62%	0.62%	0.62%	0.62%	0.62%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.25%	1.00%	1.00%	0.75%	0.50%
Other expenses		0.79%	0.79%	0.79%	0.79%	0.79%	0.79%
Total annual fund operating expenses		1.66%	2.41%	2.41%	2.16%	1.91%	1.41%
Expense reimbursement	[1]	(0.39%)	(0.39%)	(0.39%)	(0.39%)	(0.39%)	(0.39%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement		1.27%	2.02%	2.02%	1.77%	1.52%	1.02%

Example

The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Only the first year of each period in the example takes into account the expense reimbursement described above. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Expense Example - Putnam Global Energy Fund - USD ($)	Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year	Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years	Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years	Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years
Class A	697	1,032	1,391	2,397
Class B	705	1,014	1,450	2,530
Class C	305	714	1,250	2,717
Class M	524	966	1,434	2,726
Class R	155	562	995	2,201
Class Y	104	408	734	1,657

Expense Example, No Redemption - Putnam Global Energy Fund - USD ($)	Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year	Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years	Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years	Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years
Class B	205	714	1,250	2,530
Class C	205	714	1,250	2,717

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 172%.

Investments

For this non-diversified fund concentrating in the energy industries, we invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential. Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in securities of companies in the energy industries. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. Potential investments include companies engaged in the exploration, production, development and refinement of conventional and alternative sources of energy. We may purchase stocks of companies with stock prices that reflect a value lower than that which we place on the company. We may also consider other factors that we believe will cause the stock price to rise. We may consider, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell investments. We may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes, and may engage in short sales of securities.

Risks

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

The value of stocks in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including both general financial market conditions and factors related to a specific company or industry. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies. The energy industries may be affected by fluctuations in energy prices, energy conservation, exploration and production spending, government regulations, weather, world events and economic conditions. Our policy of concentrating on a limited group of industries and the fund’s “non-diversified” status, which means the fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified fund,” can increase the fund’s vulnerability to adverse developments affecting a single industry or issuer, which may result in greater losses and volatility for the fund. The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments (such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation or deflation), and may be or become illiquid. Our use of derivatives may increase these risks by increasing investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations. Our use of short selling may result in losses if the securities appreciate in value.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Performance

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.

Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges

Year-to-date performance
through 9/30/15    -29.02%

Best calendar quarter
Q3 2010   16.92%

Worst calendar quarter
Q4 2014    –22.44%

Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/14)

Average Annual Total Returns - Putnam Global Energy Fund	1 Year	5 Years	Since Inception	Inception Date
Class A	(23.88%)	(0.38%)	3.89%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class A | after taxes on distributions	(26.42%)	(1.40%)	2.93%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class A | after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares	(12.29%)	(0.25%)	3.08%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class B	(23.41%)	(0.29%)	4.13%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class C	(20.57%)	0.04%	4.13%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class M	(22.44%)	(0.41%)	3.79%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class R	(19.45%)	0.54%	4.66%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class Y	(19.07%)	1.05%	5.18%	Dec. 18, 2008
MSCI World Energy Index (ND) (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes other than withholding taxes on reinvested dividends)	(11.60%)	3.58%	7.00%	Dec. 18, 2008

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

[1] Applies only to certain redemptions of shares bought with no initial sales charge.

[2] This charge is phased out over six years.

[3] This charge is eliminated after one year.

[1] Reflects Putnam Investment Management, LLC's contractual obligation to limit certain fund expenses through 12/30/2016. This obligation may be modified or discontinued only with approval of the Board of Trustees.

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Putnam Global Financials Fund

Goal

Putnam Global Financials Fund seeks capital appreciation.

Fees and expenses

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 57 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees - Putnam Global Financial Fund	Class A		Class B		Class C		Class M	Class R	Class Y
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	5.75%		none		none		3.50%	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)	1.00%	[1]	5.00%	[2]	1.00%	[3]	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses - Putnam Global Financial Fund		Class A	Class B	Class C	Class M	Class R	Class Y
Management fees		0.62%	0.62%	0.62%	0.62%	0.62%	0.62%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.25%	1.00%	1.00%	0.75%	0.50%
Other expenses		1.41%	1.41%	1.41%	1.41%	1.41%	1.41%
Total annual fund operating expenses		2.28%	3.03%	3.03%	2.78%	2.53%	2.03%
Expense reimbursement	[1]	(1.00%)	(1.00%)	(1.00%)	(1.00%)	(1.00%)	(1.00%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement		1.28%	2.03%	2.03%	1.78%	1.53%	1.03%

Example

The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Only the first year of each period in the example takes into account the expense reimbursement described above. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Expense Example - Putnam Global Financial Fund - USD ($)	Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year	Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years	Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years	Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years
Class A	698	1,156	1,639	2,967
Class B	706	1,142	1,704	3,099
Class C	306	842	1,504	3,276
Class M	525	1,091	1,682	3,280
Class R	156	692	1,256	2,791
Class Y	105	540	1,001	2,278

Expense Example, No Redemption - Putnam Global Financial Fund - USD ($)	Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year	Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years	Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years	Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years
Class B	206	842	1,504	3,099
Class C	206	842	1,504	3,276

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 39%.

Investments

For this non-diversified fund concentrating in the financial industries, we invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential. Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in securities of companies in the financial services industries. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. Potential investments include commercial and investment banks, savings and loan organizations, brokerage and asset management firms, insurance companies and real estate investment trusts and real estate investment and development companies. We may purchase stocks of companies with stock prices that reflect a value lower than that which we place on the company. We may also consider other factors that we believe will cause the stock price to rise. We may consider, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell investments. We may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes, and may engage in short sales of securities.

Risks

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

The value of stocks in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including both general financial market conditions and factors related to a specific company or industry. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies. Financial services companies may be affected by the availability and cost of capital; changes in interest rates, insurance claims activity, industry consolidation and general economic conditions; and reduced profitability from limitations on loans, proprietary trading and interest rates and fees charged as a result of extensive government regulations. Our policy of concentrating on a limited group of industries and the fund’s “non-diversified” status, which means the fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified fund,” can increase the fund’s vulnerability to adverse developments affecting a single industry or issuer, which may result in greater losses and volatility for the fund. The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments (such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation or deflation), and may be or become illiquid. Our use of derivatives may increase these risks by increasing investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations. Our use of short selling may result in losses if the securities appreciate in value.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Performance

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.

Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges

Year-to-date performance
through 9/30/15    -3.93%

Best calendar quarter
Q2 2009   37.18%

Worst calendar quarter
Q3 2011    –27.79%

Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/14)

Average Annual Total Returns - Putnam Global Financial Fund	1 Year	5 Years	Since Inception	Inception Date
Class A	(7.45%)	5.03%	9.66%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class A | after taxes on distributions	(12.30%)	3.20%	7.85%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class A | after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares	0.02%	3.87%	7.62%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class B	(6.29%)	5.19%	9.92%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class C	(3.29%)	5.48%	9.92%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class M	(5.66%)	5.00%	9.54%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class R	(2.05%)	6.02%	10.47%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class Y	(1.51%)	6.54%	11.03%	Dec. 18, 2008
MSCI World Financials Index (ND) (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes other than withholding taxes on reinvested dividends)	3.17%	7.70%	11.26%	Dec. 18, 2008

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

[1] Applies only to certain redemptions of shares bought with no initial sales charge.

[2] This charge is phased out over six years.

[3] This charge is eliminated after one year.

[1] Reflects Putnam Investment Management, LLC's contractual obligation to limit certain fund expenses through 12/30/2016. This obligation may be modified or discontinued only with approval of the Board of Trustees.

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Putnam Global Industrials Fund

Goal

Putnam Global Industrials Fund seeks capital appreciation.

Fees and expenses

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 57 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees - Putnam Global Industrial Fund	Class A		Class B		Class C		Class M	Class R	Class Y
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	5.75%		none		none		3.50%	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)	1.00%	[1]	5.00%	[2]	1.00%	[3]	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses - Putnam Global Industrial Fund		Class A	Class B	Class C	Class M	Class R	Class Y
Management fees		0.62%	0.62%	0.62%	0.62%	0.62%	0.62%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.25%	1.00%	1.00%	0.75%	0.50%
Other expenses		1.10%	1.10%	1.10%	1.10%	1.10%	1.10%
Total annual fund operating expenses		1.97%	2.72%	2.72%	2.47%	2.22%	1.72%
Expense reimbursement	[1]	(0.70%)	(0.70%)	(0.70%)	(0.70%)	(0.70%)	(0.70%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement		1.27%	2.02%	2.02%	1.77%	1.52%	1.02%

Example

The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Only the first year of each period in the example takes into account the expense reimbursement described above. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Expense Example - Putnam Global Industrial Fund - USD ($)	Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year	Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years	Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years	Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years
Class A	697	1,094	1,515	2,686
Class B	705	1,078	1,578	2,819
Class C	305	778	1,378	3,000
Class M	524	1,028	1,559	3,007
Class R	155	627	1,126	2,500
Class Y	104	474	868	1,972

Expense Example, No Redemption - Putnam Global Industrial Fund - USD ($)	Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year	Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years	Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years	Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years
Class B	205	778	1,378	2,819
Class C	205	778	1,378	3,000

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 179%.

Investments

For this non-diversified fund concentrating in the industrial products, services or equipment industries, we invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential. Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in securities of companies in the industrial products, services or equipment industries. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. Potential investments include companies involved in the research, development, manufacture, distribution, supply or sale of industrial products, services or equipment. We may purchase stocks of companies with stock prices that reflect a value lower than that which we place on the company. We may also consider other factors that we believe will cause the stock price to rise. We may consider, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell investments. We may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes, and may engage in short sales of securities.

Risks

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

The value of stocks in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including both general financial market conditions and factors related to a specific company or industry. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies. Industrial products, services and equipment industries may be affected by economic trends, commodity prices, technological obsolescence, labor relations, legislation, worldwide competition and liability for environmental damage. Our policy of concentrating on a limited group of industries and the fund’s “non-diversified” status, which means the fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified fund,” can increase the fund’s vulnerability to adverse developments affecting a single industry or issuer, which may result in greater losses and volatility for the fund. The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments (such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation or deflation), and may be or become illiquid. Our use of derivatives may increase these risks by increasing investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations. Our use of short selling may result in losses if the securities appreciate in value.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Performance

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.

Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges

Year-to-date performance
through 9/30/15    -5.13%

Best calendar quarter
Q2 2009   21.43%

Worst calendar quarter
Q3 2011    –28.22%

Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/14)

Average Annual Total Returns - Putnam Global Industrial Fund	1 Year	5 Years	Since Inception	Inception Date
Class A	(5.19%)	13.85%	16.10%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class A | after taxes on distributions	(10.33%)	11.20%	13.66%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class A | after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares	(1.61%)	10.26%	12.35%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class B	(4.31%)	14.16%	16.40%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class C	(1.00%)	14.37%	16.39%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class M	(3.40%)	13.88%	16.02%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class R	0.36%	14.98%	16.99%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class Y	0.88%	15.51%	17.55%	Dec. 18, 2008
MSCI World Industrials Index (ND) (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes other than withholding taxes on reinvested dividends)	0.42%	11.75%	14.22%	Dec. 18, 2008

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

[1] Applies only to certain redemptions of shares bought with no initial sales charge.

[2] This charge is phased out over six years.

[3] This charge is eliminated after one year.

[1] Reflects Putnam Investment Management, LLC's contractual obligation to limit certain fund expenses through 12/30/2016. This obligation may be modified or discontinued only with approval of the Board of Trustees.

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Putnam Global Technology Fund

Goal

Putnam Global Technology Fund seeks capital appreciation.

Fees and expenses

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 57 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees - Putnam Global Technology Fund	Class A		Class B		Class C		Class M	Class R	Class Y
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	5.75%		none		none		3.50%	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)	1.00%	[1]	5.00%	[2]	1.00%	[3]	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses - Putnam Global Technology Fund		Class A	Class B	Class C	Class M	Class R	Class Y
Management fees		0.62%	0.62%	0.62%	0.62%	0.62%	0.62%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.25%	1.00%	1.00%	0.75%	0.50%
Other expenses		0.87%	0.87%	0.87%	0.87%	0.87%	0.87%
Total annual fund operating expenses		1.74%	2.49%	2.49%	2.24%	1.99%	1.49%
Expense reimbursement	[1]	(0.48%)	(0.48%)	(0.48%)	(0.48%)	(0.48%)	(0.48%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement		1.26%	2.01%	2.01%	1.76%	1.51%	1.01%

Example

The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Only the first year of each period in the example takes into account the expense reimbursement described above. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Expense Example - Putnam Global Technology Fund - USD ($)	Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year	Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years	Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years	Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years
Class A	696	1,047	1,422	2,471
Class B	704	1,030	1,482	2,605
Class C	304	730	1,282	2,790
Class M	523	981	1,466	2,799
Class R	154	578	1,028	2,278
Class Y	103	424	768	1,738

Expense Example, No Redemption - Putnam Global Technology Fund - USD ($)	Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year	Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years	Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years	Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years
Class B	204	730	1,282	2,605
Class C	204	730	1,282	2,790

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 111%.

Investments

For this non-diversified fund concentrating in the technology industries, we invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential. Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in securities of companies in the technology industries. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. Potential investments include companies that have, or will develop, products, processes or services that will provide advances and improvements through technology to consumers, enterprises and governments worldwide. We may purchase stocks of companies with stock prices that reflect a value lower than that which we place on the company. We may also consider other factors that we believe will cause the stock price to rise. We may consider, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell investments. We may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes, and may engage in short sales of securities.

Risks

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

The value of stocks in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including both general financial market conditions and factors related to a specific company or industry. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies. The technology industries may be affected by technological obsolescence, short product cycles, falling prices and profits, competitive pressures and general market conditions. Our policy of concentrating on a limited group of industries and the fund’s “non-diversified” status, which means the fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified fund,” can increase the fund’s vulnerability to adverse developments affecting a single industry or issuer, which may result in greater losses and volatility for the fund. The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments (such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation or deflation), and may be or become illiquid. Our use of derivatives may increase these risks by increasing investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations. Our use of short selling may result in losses if the securities appreciate in value.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Performance

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.

Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges

Year-to-date performance
through 9/30/15    -2.44%

Best calendar quarter
Q2 2009   21.85%

Worst calendar quarter
Q2 2010    –11.26%

Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/14)

Average Annual Total Returns - Putnam Global Technology Fund	1 Year	5 Years	Since Inception	Inception Date
Class A	6.98%	9.35%	15.74%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class A | after taxes on distributions	5.64%	8.77%	14.87%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class A | after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares	4.91%	7.36%	12.66%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class B	7.65%	9.54%	16.00%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class C	11.65%	9.80%	16.00%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class M	9.00%	9.31%	15.61%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class R	13.24%	10.37%	16.59%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class Y	13.81%	10.91%	17.17%	Dec. 18, 2008
MSCI World Information Technology Index (ND) (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes other than withholding taxes on reinvested dividends)	16.06%	12.77%	18.55%	Dec. 18, 2008

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

[1] Applies only to certain redemptions of shares bought with no initial sales charge.

[2] This charge is phased out over six years.

[3] This charge is eliminated after one year.

[1] Reflects Putnam Investment Management, LLC's contractual obligation to limit certain fund expenses through 12/30/2016. This obligation may be modified or discontinued only with approval of the Board of Trustees.

XML

Putnam Global Telecommunications Fund

Goal

Putnam Global Telecommunications Fund seeks capital appreciation.

Fees and expenses

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 57 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees - Putnam Global Telecommunication Fund	Class A		Class B		Class C		Class M	Class R	Class Y
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	5.75%		none		none		3.50%	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)	1.00%	[1]	5.00%	[2]	1.00%	[3]	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses - Putnam Global Telecommunication Fund		Class A	Class B	Class C	Class M	Class R	Class Y
Management fees		0.62%	0.62%	0.62%	0.62%	0.62%	0.62%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.25%	1.00%	1.00%	0.75%	0.50%
Other expenses		0.92%	0.92%	0.92%	0.92%	0.92%	0.92%
Total annual fund operating expenses		1.79%	2.54%	2.54%	2.29%	2.04%	1.54%
Expense reimbursement	[1]	(0.53%)	(0.53%)	(0.53%)	(0.53%)	(0.53%)	(0.53%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement		1.26%	2.01%	2.01%	1.76%	1.51%	1.01%

Example

The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Only the first year of each period in the example takes into account the expense reimbursement described above. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Expense Example - Putnam Global Telecommunication Fund - USD ($)	Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year	Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years	Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years	Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years
Class A	696	1,057	1,442	2,518
Class B	704	1,040	1,503	2,651
Class C	304	740	1,303	2,836
Class M	523	991	1,486	2,844
Class R	154	588	1,049	2,327
Class Y	103	434	789	1,789

Expense Example, No Redemption - Putnam Global Telecommunication Fund - USD ($)	Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year	Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years	Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years	Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years
Class B	204	740	1,303	2,651
Class C	204	740	1,303	2,836

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 64%.

Investments

For this non-diversified fund concentrating in the telecommunications industries, we invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential. Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in securities of companies in the telecommunication industries. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. Potential investments include companies that develop, manufacture or sell communications services or communications equipment, and companies that bundle video with communications services. We may purchase stocks of companies with stock prices that reflect a value lower than that which we place on the company. We may also consider other factors that we believe will cause the stock price to rise. We may consider, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell investments. We may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes, and may engage in short sales of securities.

Risks

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

The value of stocks in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including both general financial market conditions and factors related to a specific company or industry. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies. The telecommunications industry may be affected by government regulation, intense competition, equipment incompatibility, changing consumer preferences, technological obsolescence and large capital expenditures and debt burdens. Our policy of concentrating on a limited group of industries and the fund’s ”non-diversified” status, which means the fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified fund,” can increase the fund’s vulnerability to adverse developments affecting a single industry or issuer, which may result in greater losses and volatility for the fund. The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments (such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation or deflation), and may be or become illiquid. Our use of derivatives may increase these risks by increasing investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations. Our use of short selling may result in losses if the securities appreciate in value.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Performance

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.

Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges

Year-to-date performance
through 9/30/15    0.00%

Best calendar quarter
Q3 2010   22.02%

Worst calendar quarter
Q1 2009    –14.45%

Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/14)

Average Annual Total Returns - Putnam Global Telecommunication Fund	1 Year	5 Years	Since Inception	Inception Date
Class A	(8.28%)	13.24%	13.48%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class A | after taxes on distributions	(14.94%)	10.71%	11.31%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class A | after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares	(2.81%)	10.11%	10.54%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class B	(7.27%)	13.49%	13.73%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class C	(4.20%)	13.74%	13.74%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class M	(6.59%)	13.22%	13.35%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class R	(2.95%)	14.31%	14.31%	Dec. 18, 2008
Class Y	(2.49%)	14.88%	14.88%	Dec. 18, 2008
MSCI World Telecommunication Services Index (ND) (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes other than withholding taxes on reinvested dividends)	(1.91%)	8.75%	9.31%	Dec. 18, 2008

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

[1] Applies only to certain redemptions of shares bought with no initial sales charge.

[2] This charge is phased out over six years.

[3] This charge is eliminated after one year.

[1] Reflects Putnam Investment Management, LLC's contractual obligation to limit certain fund expenses through 12/30/2016. This obligation may be modified or discontinued only with approval of the Board of Trustees.

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Putnam Retirement Income Fund Lifestyle 2

Goal

Putnam Retirement Income Fund Lifestyle 2 seeks current income consistent with what Putnam Investment Management, LLC believes to be prudent risk.

Fees and expenses

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in class A shares or $50,000 in class M shares of Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 26 of the fund's prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund's statement of additional information (SAI).

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees - Putnam Retirement Income Fund Lifestyle 2	Class A		Class B		Class C		Class M	Class R	Class Y
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	4.00%		none		none		3.25%	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)	1.00%	[1]	5.00%	[2]	1.00%	[3]	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses - Putnam Retirement Income Fund Lifestyle 2		Class A	Class B	Class C	Class M	Class R	Class Y
Management fees		0.29%	0.29%	0.29%	0.29%	0.29%	0.29%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.25%	1.00%	1.00%	0.50%	0.50%
Other expenses		1.34%	1.34%	1.34%	1.34%	1.34%	1.34%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[1]	0.30%	0.30%	0.30%	0.30%	0.30%	0.30%
Total annual fund operating expenses		2.18%	2.93%	2.93%	2.43%	2.43%	1.93%
Expense reimbursement	[2]	(1.18%)	(1.18%)	(1.18%)	(1.18%)	(1.18%)	(1.18%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement		1.00%	1.75%	1.75%	1.25%	1.25%	0.75%

Example

The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Only the first year of each period in the example takes into account the expense reimbursement described above. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Expense Example - Putnam Retirement Income Fund Lifestyle 2 - USD ($)	Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year	Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years	Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years	Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years
Class A	498	946	1,419	2,724
Class B	678	1,095	1,639	2,989
Class C	278	795	1,439	3,168
Class M	448	949	1,475	2,915
Class R	127	645	1,189	2,676
Class Y	77	491	932	2,158

Expense Example, No Redemption - Putnam Retirement Income Fund Lifestyle 2 - USD ($)	Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year	Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years	Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years	Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years
Class B	178	795	1,439	2,989
Class C	178	795	1,439	3,168

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 40%.

Investments

The fund’s asset allocation strategy may be attractive to investors who are in or near retirement, or who otherwise intend to make periodic withdrawals of their investment in the near future. Using qualitative analysis and quantitative techniques, we adjust portfolio allocations between fixed-income and equity investments from time to time within a certain range to try to optimize the fund’s performance consistent with its goal.

The strategic allocation and the range of allowable allocation for the fund are shown below.

Class	Strategic allocation	Range
Equity	30%	0–40%
Fixed-Income	70%	60–100%

We invest mainly in a combination of bonds and common stocks of U.S. and non-U.S. companies and in Putnam Absolute Return 100 Fund, Putnam Absolute Return 300 Fund, Putnam Absolute Return 500 Fund and Putnam Absolute Return 700 Fund, which are other Putnam mutual funds and referred to as underlying funds. We may invest without limit in bonds that are either investment-grade or below-investment-grade in quality (sometimes referred to as “junk bonds”) and have short- to long-term maturities. We also invest in other fixed-income securities, such as mortgage-backed investments, and invest in money market securities or affiliated money market or short-term investment funds for cash management. We also invest, to a lesser extent, in equity securities (growth or value stocks or both) of companies of any size. We may consider, among other factors, credit, interest rate and prepayment risks, as well as general market conditions, when deciding whether to buy or sell fixed-income investments, and, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell equity investments.

We may also select other investments that do not fall within these asset classes. We may use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes.

The typical allocation and the range of allowable allocation of the fund’s assets in the underlying funds that we currently expect are shown below.

Underlying fund	Permitted investments	Typical allocation	Range
Putnam Absolute Return 100 Fund	Fixed-income, derivatives	5%	0–20%
Putnam Absolute Return 300 Fund	Fixed-income, derivatives	12%	0–30%
Putnam Absolute Return 500 Fund	Equities, fixed-income, alternative investments, derivatives	20%	0–40%
Putnam Absolute Return 700 Fund	Equities, fixed-income, alternative investments, derivatives	3%	0–20%

For purposes of measuring the fund’s allocations to fixed-income and equity investments, we regard Putnam Absolute Return 100 Fund and Putnam Absolute Return 300 Fund as fixed-income investments, Putnam Absolute Return 500 Fund as a 50% fixed-income and 50% equity investment, and Putnam Absolute Return 700 Fund as an equity investment. The fund’s remaining assets are invested in other securities, as described above.

Risks

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund. There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income at and through an investor’s retirement.

The fund and the underlying funds bear the following risks. Our allocation of assets among asset classes and the underlying funds may hurt performance. The value of stocks and bonds in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including general financial market conditions, changing market perceptions of the risk of default, changes in government intervention in the financial markets, and factors related to a specific issuer or industry. These factors may also lead to periods of high volatility and reduced liquidity in the bond markets. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies.

Bond investments are subject to interest rate risk, which means the value of the fund’s bond investments is likely to fall if interest rates rise. Bond investments also are subject to credit risk, which is the risk that the issuer of the bond may default on payment of interest or principal. Interest rate risk is generally greater for longer-term bonds, and credit risk is generally greater for below-investment-grade bonds, which may be considered speculative. Mortgage-backed investments, unlike traditional debt investments, are also subject to prepayment risk, which means that they may increase in value less than other bonds when interest rates decline and decline in value more than other bonds when interest rates rise. We may have to invest the proceeds from prepaid investments, including mortgage- and asset-backed investments, in other investments with less attractive terms and yields.

The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments (such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation or deflation), and may be or become illiquid. Our use of derivatives may increase these risks by increasing investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Investor profile

The fund is one of a suite of three Putnam Retirement Income Lifestyle Funds designed to offer a choice of potential risk/return profiles for investors in or near retirement or otherwise seeking an investment for use with a periodic withdrawal program. Investors are encouraged to seek the assistance of a financial advisor in selecting a Putnam Retirement Income Lifestyle Fund and in developing a periodic withdrawal program that is appropriate to their personal investment goals and financial circumstances. The fund makes no representations regarding its suitability for any particular investor or periodic withdrawal program. Investors should understand that pursuing higher returns may involve higher volatility and that a fund’s performance results may not be sustainable.

Performance

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.

Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges

Year-to-date performance
through 9/30/15    -1.95%

Best calendar quarter
Q1 2012   4.84%

Worst calendar quarter
Q3 2014    -0.79%

Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/14)

Average Annual Total Returns - Putnam Retirement Income Fund Lifestyle 2	1 Year	Since Inception	Inception Date
Class A	0.29%	3.61%	Jun. 13, 2001
Class A | after taxes on distributions	(1.18%)	2.52%	Jun. 13, 2001
Class A | after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares	0.52%	2.43%	Jun. 13, 2001
Class B	(1.31%)	3.25%	Jun. 13, 2001
Class C	2.69%	4.02%	Jun. 13, 2001
Class M	0.85%	3.59%	Jun. 13, 2001
Class R	4.24%	4.55%	Jun. 13, 2001
Class Y	4.80%	5.08%	Jun. 13, 2001
Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)	5.97%	3.51%	Jun. 13, 2001
S&P 500 Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	13.69%	17.03%	Jun. 13, 2001

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

[1] Applies only to certain redemptions of shares bought with no initial sales charge.

[2] This charge is phased out over six years.

[3] This charge is eliminated after one year.

[1] Acquired fund fees and expenses are based on projected net expenses of the underlying funds and assume the fund's typical allocations to the underlying funds described in Investments, risks and performance -- Investments and a 4% allocation to Putnam Money Market Fund.

[2] Reflects Putnam Investment Management, LLC's contractual obligation to limit certain fund expenses through 12/30/2016. This obligation may be modified or discontinued only with approval of the Board of Trustees.

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Total

Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund

Fund summary

Goal

Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Fees and expenses

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 14 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Example

The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Only the first year of each period in the example takes into account the expense reimbursement described above. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 157%.

Investments

We invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of emerging market companies that we believe have favorable investment potential. For example, we may purchase stocks of companies with stock prices that reflect a value lower than that which we place on the company. We may also consider other factors that we believe will cause the stock price to rise. Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in equity securities of emerging market companies. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders.

Emerging markets include countries in the MSCI Emerging Market Index or that we consider to be emerging markets based on our evaluation of their level of economic development or the size and experience of their securities markets. We invest significantly in small and midsize companies.

We may consider, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell investments. We may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes.

Risks

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

The value of stocks in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including both general financial market conditions and factors related to a specific company or industry. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies.

The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation or deflation, and may be illiquid.

Our use of derivatives may increase these risks by increasing investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Performance

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.

Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges

Year-to-date performance
through 9/30/15    -14.53%

Best calendar quarter
Q2 2009   33.33%

Worst calendar quarter
Q3 2011    –30.06%

Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/14)

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

Putnam Global Consumer Fund

Fund summary

Goal

Putnam Global Consumer Fund seeks capital appreciation.

Fees and expenses

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 57 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Example

The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Only the first year of each period in the example takes into account the expense reimbursement described above. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 70%.

Investments

For this non-diversified fund concentrating in the consumer staples and consumer discretionary products and services industries, we invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential. Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in securities of companies in the consumer staples and consumer discretionary products and services industries. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. Potential investments include companies involved in the manufacture, sale or distribution of consumer staples and consumer discretionary products and services. We may purchase stocks of companies with stock prices that reflect a value lower than that which we place on the company. We may also consider other factors that we believe will cause the stock price to rise. We may consider, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell investments. We may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes, and may engage in short sales of securities.

Risks

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

The value of stocks in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including both general financial market conditions and factors related to a specific company or industry. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies. Consumer staples and consumer discretionary products and services industries may be affected by demographic and product trends, competition, economic trends and consumer confidence. Our policy of concentrating on a limited group of industries and the fund’s “non-diversified” status, which means the fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified fund,” can increase the fund’s vulnerability to adverse developments affecting a single industry or issuer, which may result in greater losses and volatility for the fund. The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments (such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation or deflation), and may be or become illiquid. Our use of derivatives may increase these risks by increasing investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations. Our use of short selling may result in losses if the securities appreciate in value.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Performance

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.

Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges

Year-to-date performance
through 9/30/15    0.35%

Best calendar quarter
Q3 2010   18.16%

Worst calendar quarter
Q3 2011    –15.43%

Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/14)

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

Putnam Global Energy Fund

Fund summary

Goal

Putnam Global Energy Fund seeks capital appreciation.

Fees and expenses

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 57 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Example

The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Only the first year of each period in the example takes into account the expense reimbursement described above. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 172%.

Investments

For this non-diversified fund concentrating in the energy industries, we invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential. Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in securities of companies in the energy industries. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. Potential investments include companies engaged in the exploration, production, development and refinement of conventional and alternative sources of energy. We may purchase stocks of companies with stock prices that reflect a value lower than that which we place on the company. We may also consider other factors that we believe will cause the stock price to rise. We may consider, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell investments. We may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes, and may engage in short sales of securities.

Risks

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

The value of stocks in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including both general financial market conditions and factors related to a specific company or industry. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies. The energy industries may be affected by fluctuations in energy prices, energy conservation, exploration and production spending, government regulations, weather, world events and economic conditions. Our policy of concentrating on a limited group of industries and the fund’s “non-diversified” status, which means the fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified fund,” can increase the fund’s vulnerability to adverse developments affecting a single industry or issuer, which may result in greater losses and volatility for the fund. The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments (such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation or deflation), and may be or become illiquid. Our use of derivatives may increase these risks by increasing investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations. Our use of short selling may result in losses if the securities appreciate in value.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Performance

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.

Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges

Year-to-date performance
through 9/30/15    -29.02%

Best calendar quarter
Q3 2010   16.92%

Worst calendar quarter
Q4 2014    –22.44%

Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/14)

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

Putnam Global Financial Fund

Fund summary

Goal

Putnam Global Financials Fund seeks capital appreciation.

Fees and expenses

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 57 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Example

The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Only the first year of each period in the example takes into account the expense reimbursement described above. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 39%.

Investments

For this non-diversified fund concentrating in the financial industries, we invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential. Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in securities of companies in the financial services industries. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. Potential investments include commercial and investment banks, savings and loan organizations, brokerage and asset management firms, insurance companies and real estate investment trusts and real estate investment and development companies. We may purchase stocks of companies with stock prices that reflect a value lower than that which we place on the company. We may also consider other factors that we believe will cause the stock price to rise. We may consider, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell investments. We may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes, and may engage in short sales of securities.

Risks

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

The value of stocks in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including both general financial market conditions and factors related to a specific company or industry. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies. Financial services companies may be affected by the availability and cost of capital; changes in interest rates, insurance claims activity, industry consolidation and general economic conditions; and reduced profitability from limitations on loans, proprietary trading and interest rates and fees charged as a result of extensive government regulations. Our policy of concentrating on a limited group of industries and the fund’s “non-diversified” status, which means the fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified fund,” can increase the fund’s vulnerability to adverse developments affecting a single industry or issuer, which may result in greater losses and volatility for the fund. The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments (such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation or deflation), and may be or become illiquid. Our use of derivatives may increase these risks by increasing investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations. Our use of short selling may result in losses if the securities appreciate in value.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Performance

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.

Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges

Year-to-date performance
through 9/30/15    -3.93%

Best calendar quarter
Q2 2009   37.18%

Worst calendar quarter
Q3 2011    –27.79%

Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/14)

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

Putnam Global Industrial Fund

Fund summary

Goal

Putnam Global Industrials Fund seeks capital appreciation.

Fees and expenses

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 57 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Example

The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Only the first year of each period in the example takes into account the expense reimbursement described above. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 179%.

Investments

For this non-diversified fund concentrating in the industrial products, services or equipment industries, we invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential. Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in securities of companies in the industrial products, services or equipment industries. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. Potential investments include companies involved in the research, development, manufacture, distribution, supply or sale of industrial products, services or equipment. We may purchase stocks of companies with stock prices that reflect a value lower than that which we place on the company. We may also consider other factors that we believe will cause the stock price to rise. We may consider, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell investments. We may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes, and may engage in short sales of securities.

Risks

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

The value of stocks in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including both general financial market conditions and factors related to a specific company or industry. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies. Industrial products, services and equipment industries may be affected by economic trends, commodity prices, technological obsolescence, labor relations, legislation, worldwide competition and liability for environmental damage. Our policy of concentrating on a limited group of industries and the fund’s “non-diversified” status, which means the fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified fund,” can increase the fund’s vulnerability to adverse developments affecting a single industry or issuer, which may result in greater losses and volatility for the fund. The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments (such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation or deflation), and may be or become illiquid. Our use of derivatives may increase these risks by increasing investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations. Our use of short selling may result in losses if the securities appreciate in value.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Performance

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.

Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges

Year-to-date performance
through 9/30/15    -5.13%

Best calendar quarter
Q2 2009   21.43%

Worst calendar quarter
Q3 2011    –28.22%

Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/14)

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

Putnam Global Technology Fund

Fund summary

Goal

Putnam Global Technology Fund seeks capital appreciation.

Fees and expenses

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 57 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Example

The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Only the first year of each period in the example takes into account the expense reimbursement described above. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 111%.

Investments

For this non-diversified fund concentrating in the technology industries, we invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential. Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in securities of companies in the technology industries. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. Potential investments include companies that have, or will develop, products, processes or services that will provide advances and improvements through technology to consumers, enterprises and governments worldwide. We may purchase stocks of companies with stock prices that reflect a value lower than that which we place on the company. We may also consider other factors that we believe will cause the stock price to rise. We may consider, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell investments. We may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes, and may engage in short sales of securities.

Risks

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

The value of stocks in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including both general financial market conditions and factors related to a specific company or industry. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies. The technology industries may be affected by technological obsolescence, short product cycles, falling prices and profits, competitive pressures and general market conditions. Our policy of concentrating on a limited group of industries and the fund’s “non-diversified” status, which means the fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified fund,” can increase the fund’s vulnerability to adverse developments affecting a single industry or issuer, which may result in greater losses and volatility for the fund. The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments (such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation or deflation), and may be or become illiquid. Our use of derivatives may increase these risks by increasing investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations. Our use of short selling may result in losses if the securities appreciate in value.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Performance

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.

Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges

Year-to-date performance
through 9/30/15    -2.44%

Best calendar quarter
Q2 2009   21.85%

Worst calendar quarter
Q2 2010    –11.26%

Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/14)

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

Putnam Global Telecommunication Fund

Fund summary

Goal

Putnam Global Telecommunications Fund seeks capital appreciation.

Fees and expenses

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 57 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Example

The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Only the first year of each period in the example takes into account the expense reimbursement described above. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 64%.

Investments

For this non-diversified fund concentrating in the telecommunications industries, we invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential. Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in securities of companies in the telecommunication industries. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. Potential investments include companies that develop, manufacture or sell communications services or communications equipment, and companies that bundle video with communications services. We may purchase stocks of companies with stock prices that reflect a value lower than that which we place on the company. We may also consider other factors that we believe will cause the stock price to rise. We may consider, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell investments. We may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes, and may engage in short sales of securities.

Risks

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

The value of stocks in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including both general financial market conditions and factors related to a specific company or industry. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies. The telecommunications industry may be affected by government regulation, intense competition, equipment incompatibility, changing consumer preferences, technological obsolescence and large capital expenditures and debt burdens. Our policy of concentrating on a limited group of industries and the fund’s ”non-diversified” status, which means the fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified fund,” can increase the fund’s vulnerability to adverse developments affecting a single industry or issuer, which may result in greater losses and volatility for the fund. The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments (such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation or deflation), and may be or become illiquid. Our use of derivatives may increase these risks by increasing investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations. Our use of short selling may result in losses if the securities appreciate in value.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Performance

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.

Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges

Year-to-date performance
through 9/30/15    0.00%

Best calendar quarter
Q3 2010   22.02%

Worst calendar quarter
Q1 2009    –14.45%

Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/14)

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

Putnam Retirement Income Fund Lifestyle 2

Fund summary

Goal

Putnam Retirement Income Fund Lifestyle 2 seeks current income consistent with what Putnam Investment Management, LLC believes to be prudent risk.

Fees and expenses

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in class A shares or $50,000 in class M shares of Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 26 of the fund's prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund's statement of additional information (SAI).

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Example

The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Only the first year of each period in the example takes into account the expense reimbursement described above. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 40%.

Investments

The fund’s asset allocation strategy may be attractive to investors who are in or near retirement, or who otherwise intend to make periodic withdrawals of their investment in the near future. Using qualitative analysis and quantitative techniques, we adjust portfolio allocations between fixed-income and equity investments from time to time within a certain range to try to optimize the fund’s performance consistent with its goal.

The strategic allocation and the range of allowable allocation for the fund are shown below.

Class	Strategic allocation	Range
Equity	30%	0–40%
Fixed-Income	70%	60–100%

We invest mainly in a combination of bonds and common stocks of U.S. and non-U.S. companies and in Putnam Absolute Return 100 Fund, Putnam Absolute Return 300 Fund, Putnam Absolute Return 500 Fund and Putnam Absolute Return 700 Fund, which are other Putnam mutual funds and referred to as underlying funds. We may invest without limit in bonds that are either investment-grade or below-investment-grade in quality (sometimes referred to as “junk bonds”) and have short- to long-term maturities. We also invest in other fixed-income securities, such as mortgage-backed investments, and invest in money market securities or affiliated money market or short-term investment funds for cash management. We also invest, to a lesser extent, in equity securities (growth or value stocks or both) of companies of any size. We may consider, among other factors, credit, interest rate and prepayment risks, as well as general market conditions, when deciding whether to buy or sell fixed-income investments, and, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell equity investments.

We may also select other investments that do not fall within these asset classes. We may use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes.

The typical allocation and the range of allowable allocation of the fund’s assets in the underlying funds that we currently expect are shown below.

Underlying fund	Permitted investments	Typical allocation	Range
Putnam Absolute Return 100 Fund	Fixed-income, derivatives	5%	0–20%
Putnam Absolute Return 300 Fund	Fixed-income, derivatives	12%	0–30%
Putnam Absolute Return 500 Fund	Equities, fixed-income, alternative investments, derivatives	20%	0–40%
Putnam Absolute Return 700 Fund	Equities, fixed-income, alternative investments, derivatives	3%	0–20%

For purposes of measuring the fund’s allocations to fixed-income and equity investments, we regard Putnam Absolute Return 100 Fund and Putnam Absolute Return 300 Fund as fixed-income investments, Putnam Absolute Return 500 Fund as a 50% fixed-income and 50% equity investment, and Putnam Absolute Return 700 Fund as an equity investment. The fund’s remaining assets are invested in other securities, as described above.

Risks

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund. There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income at and through an investor’s retirement.

The fund and the underlying funds bear the following risks. Our allocation of assets among asset classes and the underlying funds may hurt performance. The value of stocks and bonds in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including general financial market conditions, changing market perceptions of the risk of default, changes in government intervention in the financial markets, and factors related to a specific issuer or industry. These factors may also lead to periods of high volatility and reduced liquidity in the bond markets. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies.

Bond investments are subject to interest rate risk, which means the value of the fund’s bond investments is likely to fall if interest rates rise. Bond investments also are subject to credit risk, which is the risk that the issuer of the bond may default on payment of interest or principal. Interest rate risk is generally greater for longer-term bonds, and credit risk is generally greater for below-investment-grade bonds, which may be considered speculative. Mortgage-backed investments, unlike traditional debt investments, are also subject to prepayment risk, which means that they may increase in value less than other bonds when interest rates decline and decline in value more than other bonds when interest rates rise. We may have to invest the proceeds from prepaid investments, including mortgage- and asset-backed investments, in other investments with less attractive terms and yields.

The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments (such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation or deflation), and may be or become illiquid. Our use of derivatives may increase these risks by increasing investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Investor profile

The fund is one of a suite of three Putnam Retirement Income Lifestyle Funds designed to offer a choice of potential risk/return profiles for investors in or near retirement or otherwise seeking an investment for use with a periodic withdrawal program. Investors are encouraged to seek the assistance of a financial advisor in selecting a Putnam Retirement Income Lifestyle Fund and in developing a periodic withdrawal program that is appropriate to their personal investment goals and financial circumstances. The fund makes no representations regarding its suitability for any particular investor or periodic withdrawal program. Investors should understand that pursuing higher returns may involve higher volatility and that a fund’s performance results may not be sustainable.

Performance

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.

Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges

Year-to-date performance
through 9/30/15    -1.95%

Best calendar quarter
Q1 2012   4.84%

Worst calendar quarter
Q3 2014    -0.79%

Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/14)

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Document Type

dei_DocumentType

485BPOS

Document Period End Date

dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate

Aug. 31, 2015

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

PUTNAM FUNDS TRUST

Central Index Key

dei_EntityCentralIndexKey

0001005942

Amendment Flag

dei_AmendmentFlag

false

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

PFT

Document Creation Date

dei_DocumentCreationDate

Dec. 23, 2015

Document Effective Date

dei_DocumentEffectiveDate

Dec. 30, 2015

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Dec. 30, 2015

Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund summary

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Goal

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 14 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

December 30, 2016

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 157%.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

157.00%

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 14 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount

$ 50,000

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Only the first year of each period in the example takes into account the expense reimbursement described above. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Investments

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

We invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of emerging market companies that we believe have favorable investment potential. For example, we may purchase stocks of companies with stock prices that reflect a value lower than that which we place on the company. We may also consider other factors that we believe will cause the stock price to rise. Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in equity securities of emerging market companies. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders.

Emerging markets include countries in the MSCI Emerging Market Index or that we consider to be emerging markets based on our evaluation of their level of economic development or the size and experience of their securities markets. We invest significantly in small and midsize companies.

We may consider, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell investments. We may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

The value of stocks in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including both general financial market conditions and factors related to a specific company or industry. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies.

The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation or deflation, and may be illiquid.

Our use of derivatives may increase these risks by increasing investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time.

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

putnam.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges

Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text]

rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads

The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower.

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date performance
through 9/30/15    -14.53%

Best calendar quarter
Q2 2009   33.33%

Worst calendar quarter
Q3 2011    –30.06%

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date performance through

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2015

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

(14.53%)

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best calendar quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Jun. 30, 2009

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

33.33%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst calendar quarter

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(30.06%)

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/14)

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown

After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes.

Performance Table Closing [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund | Class A

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

5.75%

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

1.00%

^[1]

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.96%

^[2]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.82%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.01%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.04%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.42%)

^[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.62%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 730

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

1,140

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,574

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 2,777

Annual Return 2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

73.93%

Annual Return 2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

17.67%

Annual Return 2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

(26.41%)

Annual Return 2012

rr_AnnualReturn2012

18.78%

Annual Return 2013

rr_AnnualReturn2013

1.61%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

(1.35%)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(7.02%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.57%)

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

2.46%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Sep. 29, 2008

Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund | Class B

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

5.00%

^[4]

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.96%

^[2]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

1.00%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.82%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.01%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.79%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.42%)

^[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

2.37%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 740

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

1,126

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,638

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,910

Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

240

Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

826

Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

1,438

Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

$ 2,910

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(6.96%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.48%)

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

2.68%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Sep. 29, 2008

Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund | Class C

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

1.00%

^[5]

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.96%

^[2]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

1.00%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.82%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.01%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.79%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.42%)

^[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

2.37%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 340

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

826

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,438

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

3,089

Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

240

Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

826

Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

1,438

Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

$ 3,089

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(3.04%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.14%)

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

2.67%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Sep. 29, 2008

Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund | Class M

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

3.50%

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.96%

^[2]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.75%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.82%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.01%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.54%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.42%)

^[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

2.12%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 558

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

1,075

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,617

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 3,095

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(5.27%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.61%)

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

2.34%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Sep. 29, 2008

Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund | Class R

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.96%

^[2]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.82%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.01%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.29%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.42%)

^[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.87%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 190

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

675

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,188

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 2,594

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(1.56%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

0.35%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.18%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Sep. 29, 2008

Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund | Class Y

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.96%

^[2]

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.82%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.01%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.79%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.42%)

^[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.37%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 140

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

523

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

931

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 2,072

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(1.17%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

0.85%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.70%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Sep. 29, 2008

Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund | after taxes on distributions | Class A

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(7.08%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(1.28%)

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.68%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Sep. 29, 2008

Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund | after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares | Class A

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(3.72%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.31%)

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.96%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Sep. 29, 2008

Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund | MSCI Emerging Markets Index (ND) (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes other than withholding taxes on reinvested dividends)

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(2.19%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.78%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

5.92%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Sep. 29, 2008

Putnam Global Consumer Fund

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund summary

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Goal

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Putnam Global Consumer Fund seeks capital appreciation.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 57 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

12-30-2016

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 70%.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

70.00%

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 57 of the fund's prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund's statement of additional information (SAI).

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount

$ 50,000

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Only the first year of each period in the example takes into account the expense reimbursement described above. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Investments

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

For this non-diversified fund concentrating in the consumer staples and consumer discretionary products and services industries, we invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential. Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in securities of companies in the consumer staples and consumer discretionary products and services industries. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. Potential investments include companies involved in the manufacture, sale or distribution of consumer staples and consumer discretionary products and services. We may purchase stocks of companies with stock prices that reflect a value lower than that which we place on the company. We may also consider other factors that we believe will cause the stock price to rise. We may consider, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell investments. We may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes, and may engage in short sales of securities.

Strategy Portfolio Concentration [Text]

rr_StrategyPortfolioConcentration

For this non-diversified fund concentrating in the consumer staples and consumer discretionary products and services industries, we invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

The value of stocks in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including both general financial market conditions and factors related to a specific company or industry. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies. Consumer staples and consumer discretionary products and services industries may be affected by demographic and product trends, competition, economic trends and consumer confidence. Our policy of concentrating on a limited group of industries and the fund’s “non-diversified” status, which means the fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified fund,” can increase the fund’s vulnerability to adverse developments affecting a single industry or issuer, which may result in greater losses and volatility for the fund. The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments (such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation or deflation), and may be or become illiquid. Our use of derivatives may increase these risks by increasing investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations. Our use of short selling may result in losses if the securities appreciate in value.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus

Our policy of concentrating on a limited group of industries and the fund’s “non-diversified” status, which means the fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified fund,” can increase the fund’s vulnerability to adverse developments affecting a single industry or issuer, which may result in greater losses and volatility for the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time.

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

putnam.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges

Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text]

rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads

The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower.

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date performance
through 9/30/15    0.35%

Best calendar quarter
Q3 2010   18.16%

Worst calendar quarter
Q3 2011    –15.43%

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date performance through

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2015

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.35%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best calendar quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2010

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

18.16%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst calendar quarter

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(15.43%)

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/14)

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown

After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes.

Performance Table Closing [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

Putnam Global Consumer Fund | Class A

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

5.75%

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

1.00%

^[1]

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.85%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.72%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.46%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.26%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 696

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

1,043

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,414

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 2,452

Annual Return 2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

33.67%

Annual Return 2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

24.40%

Annual Return 2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

(5.41%)

Annual Return 2012

rr_AnnualReturn2012

17.55%

Annual Return 2013

rr_AnnualReturn2013

36.11%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

2.11%

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(3.76%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

12.62%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

16.05%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Consumer Fund | Class B

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

5.00%

^[4]

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

1.00%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.85%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.47%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.46%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

2.01%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 704

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

1,026

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,474

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,586

Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

204

Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

726

Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

1,274

Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

$ 2,586

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(3.08%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

12.86%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

16.32%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Consumer Fund | Class C

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

1.00%

^[5]

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

1.00%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.85%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.47%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.46%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

2.01%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 304

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

726

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,274

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,771

Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

204

Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

726

Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

1,274

Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

$ 2,771

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

0.43%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

13.11%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

16.32%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Consumer Fund | Class M

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

3.50%

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.75%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.85%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.22%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.46%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.76%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 523

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

977

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,458

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 2,780

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(2.00%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

12.58%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

15.93%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Consumer Fund | Class R

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.85%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.97%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.46%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.51%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 154

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

574

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,020

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 2,259

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

1.83%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

13.68%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

16.91%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Consumer Fund | Class Y

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.85%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.47%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.46%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.01%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 103

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

420

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

759

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 1,718

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.41%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

14.25%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

17.50%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Consumer Fund | after taxes on distributions | Class A

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(7.13%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.66%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

14.18%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Consumer Fund | after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares | Class A

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(0.38%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

9.79%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

12.78%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Consumer Fund | MSCI World Consumer Discretionary and Consumer Staples Index (ND) (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes, other than withholding taxes on reinvested dividends)

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.46%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

14.50%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

16.70%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Energy Fund

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund summary

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Goal

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Putnam Global Energy Fund seeks capital appreciation.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 57 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

12-30-2016

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 172%.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

172.00%

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 57 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount

$ 50,000

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Only the first year of each period in the example takes into account the expense reimbursement described above. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Investments

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

For this non-diversified fund concentrating in the energy industries, we invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential. Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in securities of companies in the energy industries. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. Potential investments include companies engaged in the exploration, production, development and refinement of conventional and alternative sources of energy. We may purchase stocks of companies with stock prices that reflect a value lower than that which we place on the company. We may also consider other factors that we believe will cause the stock price to rise. We may consider, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell investments. We may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes, and may engage in short sales of securities.

Strategy Portfolio Concentration [Text]

rr_StrategyPortfolioConcentration

For this non-diversified fund concentrating in the energy industries, we invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

The value of stocks in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including both general financial market conditions and factors related to a specific company or industry. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies. The energy industries may be affected by fluctuations in energy prices, energy conservation, exploration and production spending, government regulations, weather, world events and economic conditions. Our policy of concentrating on a limited group of industries and the fund’s “non-diversified” status, which means the fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified fund,” can increase the fund’s vulnerability to adverse developments affecting a single industry or issuer, which may result in greater losses and volatility for the fund. The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments (such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation or deflation), and may be or become illiquid. Our use of derivatives may increase these risks by increasing investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations. Our use of short selling may result in losses if the securities appreciate in value.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus

Our policy of concentrating on a limited group of industries and the fund's "non-diversified" status, which means the fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a "diversified fund," can increase the fund's vulnerability to adverse developments affecting a single industry or issuer, which may result in greater losses and volatility for the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time.

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

putnam.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges

Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text]

rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads

The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower.

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date performance
through 9/30/15    -29.02%

Best calendar quarter
Q3 2010   16.92%

Worst calendar quarter
Q4 2014    –22.44%

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date performance through

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2015

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

(29.02%)

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best calendar quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2010

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

16.92%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst calendar quarter

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2014

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(22.44%)

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/14)

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown

After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes.

Performance Table Closing [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

Putnam Global Energy Fund | Class A

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

5.75%

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

1.00%

^[1]

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.79%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.66%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.39%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.27%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 697

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

1,032

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,391

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 2,397

Annual Return 2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

26.26%

Annual Return 2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

13.73%

Annual Return 2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

(3.33%)

Annual Return 2012

rr_AnnualReturn2012

1.68%

Annual Return 2013

rr_AnnualReturn2013

15.32%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

(19.24%)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(23.88%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.38%)

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.89%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Energy Fund | Class B

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

5.00%

^[4]

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

1.00%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.79%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.41%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.39%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

2.02%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 705

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

1,014

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,450

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,530

Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

205

Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

714

Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

1,250

Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

$ 2,530

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(23.41%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.29%)

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.13%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Energy Fund | Class C

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

1.00%

^[5]

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

1.00%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.79%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.41%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.39%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

2.02%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 305

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

714

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,250

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,717

Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

205

Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

714

Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

1,250

Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

$ 2,717

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(20.57%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

0.04%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.13%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Energy Fund | Class M

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

3.50%

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.75%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.79%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.16%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.39%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.77%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 524

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

966

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,434

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 2,726

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(22.44%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.41%)

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.79%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Energy Fund | Class R

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.79%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.91%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.39%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.52%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 155

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

562

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

995

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 2,201

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(19.45%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

0.54%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.66%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Energy Fund | Class Y

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.79%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.41%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.39%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.02%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 104

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

408

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

734

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 1,657

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(19.07%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.05%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

5.18%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Energy Fund | after taxes on distributions | Class A

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(26.42%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(1.40%)

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

2.93%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Energy Fund | after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares | Class A

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(12.29%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.25%)

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.08%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Energy Fund | MSCI World Energy Index (ND) (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes other than withholding taxes on reinvested dividends)

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(11.60%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

3.58%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

7.00%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Financial Fund

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund summary

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Goal

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Putnam Global Financials Fund seeks capital appreciation.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 57 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

12-30-2016

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 39%.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

39.00%

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 57 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount

$ 50,000

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Only the first year of each period in the example takes into account the expense reimbursement described above. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Investments

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

For this non-diversified fund concentrating in the financial industries, we invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential. Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in securities of companies in the financial services industries. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. Potential investments include commercial and investment banks, savings and loan organizations, brokerage and asset management firms, insurance companies and real estate investment trusts and real estate investment and development companies. We may purchase stocks of companies with stock prices that reflect a value lower than that which we place on the company. We may also consider other factors that we believe will cause the stock price to rise. We may consider, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell investments. We may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes, and may engage in short sales of securities.

Strategy Portfolio Concentration [Text]

rr_StrategyPortfolioConcentration

For this non-diversified fund concentrating in the financial industries, we invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

The value of stocks in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including both general financial market conditions and factors related to a specific company or industry. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies. Financial services companies may be affected by the availability and cost of capital; changes in interest rates, insurance claims activity, industry consolidation and general economic conditions; and reduced profitability from limitations on loans, proprietary trading and interest rates and fees charged as a result of extensive government regulations. Our policy of concentrating on a limited group of industries and the fund’s “non-diversified” status, which means the fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified fund,” can increase the fund’s vulnerability to adverse developments affecting a single industry or issuer, which may result in greater losses and volatility for the fund. The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments (such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation or deflation), and may be or become illiquid. Our use of derivatives may increase these risks by increasing investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations. Our use of short selling may result in losses if the securities appreciate in value.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus

Our policy of concentrating on a limited group of industries and the fund’s “non-diversified” status, which means the fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified fund,” can increase the fund’s vulnerability to adverse developments affecting a single industry or issuer, which may result in greater losses and volatility for the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time.

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

putnam.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges

Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text]

rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads

The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower.

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date performance
through 9/30/15    -3.93%

Best calendar quarter
Q2 2009   37.18%

Worst calendar quarter
Q3 2011    –27.79%

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date performance through

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2015

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

(3.93%)

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best calendar quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Jun. 30, 2009

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

37.18%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst calendar quarter

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(27.79%)

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/14)

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown

After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes.

Performance Table Closing [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

Putnam Global Financial Fund | Class A

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

5.75%

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

1.00%

^[1]

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.41%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.28%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.00%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.28%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 698

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

1,156

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,639

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 2,967

Annual Return 2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

33.46%

Annual Return 2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

2.02%

Annual Return 2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

(20.36%)

Annual Return 2012

rr_AnnualReturn2012

30.98%

Annual Return 2013

rr_AnnualReturn2013

29.76%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

(1.80%)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(7.45%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

5.03%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.66%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Financial Fund | Class B

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

5.00%

^[4]

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

1.00%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.41%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

3.03%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.00%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

2.03%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 706

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

1,142

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,704

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

3,099

Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

206

Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

842

Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

1,504

Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

$ 3,099

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(6.29%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

5.19%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.92%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Financial Fund | Class C

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

1.00%

^[5]

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

1.00%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.41%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

3.03%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.00%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

2.03%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 306

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

842

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,504

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

3,276

Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

206

Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

842

Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

1,504

Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

$ 3,276

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(3.29%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

5.48%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.92%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Financial Fund | Class M

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

3.50%

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.75%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.41%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.78%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.00%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.78%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 525

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

1,091

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,682

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 3,280

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(5.66%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

5.00%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.54%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Financial Fund | Class R

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.41%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.53%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.00%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.53%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 156

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

692

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,256

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 2,791

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(2.05%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

6.02%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

10.47%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Financial Fund | Class Y

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.41%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.03%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.00%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.03%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 105

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

540

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,001

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 2,278

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(1.51%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

6.54%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

11.03%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Financial Fund | after taxes on distributions | Class A

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(12.30%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

3.20%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

7.85%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Financial Fund | after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares | Class A

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

0.02%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

3.87%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

7.62%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Financial Fund | MSCI World Financials Index (ND) (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes other than withholding taxes on reinvested dividends)

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

3.17%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

7.70%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

11.26%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Industrial Fund

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund summary

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Goal

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Putnam Global Industrials Fund seeks capital appreciation.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 57 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

12-30-2016

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 179%.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

179.00%

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 57 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount

$ 50,000

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Only the first year of each period in the example takes into account the expense reimbursement described above. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Investments

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

For this non-diversified fund concentrating in the industrial products, services or equipment industries, we invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential. Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in securities of companies in the industrial products, services or equipment industries. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. Potential investments include companies involved in the research, development, manufacture, distribution, supply or sale of industrial products, services or equipment. We may purchase stocks of companies with stock prices that reflect a value lower than that which we place on the company. We may also consider other factors that we believe will cause the stock price to rise. We may consider, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell investments. We may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes, and may engage in short sales of securities.

Strategy Portfolio Concentration [Text]

rr_StrategyPortfolioConcentration

For this non-diversified fund concentrating in the industrial products, services or equipment industries, we invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

The value of stocks in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including both general financial market conditions and factors related to a specific company or industry. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies. Industrial products, services and equipment industries may be affected by economic trends, commodity prices, technological obsolescence, labor relations, legislation, worldwide competition and liability for environmental damage. Our policy of concentrating on a limited group of industries and the fund’s “non-diversified” status, which means the fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified fund,” can increase the fund’s vulnerability to adverse developments affecting a single industry or issuer, which may result in greater losses and volatility for the fund. The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments (such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation or deflation), and may be or become illiquid. Our use of derivatives may increase these risks by increasing investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations. Our use of short selling may result in losses if the securities appreciate in value.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus

Our policy of concentrating on a limited group of industries and the fund’s “non-diversified” status, which means the fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified fund,” can increase the fund’s vulnerability to adverse developments affecting a single industry or issuer, which may result in greater losses and volatility for the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time.

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

putnam.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges

Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text]

rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads

The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower.

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date performance
through 9/30/15    -5.13%

Best calendar quarter
Q2 2009   21.43%

Worst calendar quarter
Q3 2011    –28.22%

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date performance through

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2015

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

(5.13%)

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best calendar quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Jun. 30, 2009

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

21.43%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst calendar quarter

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(28.22%)

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/14)

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown

After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes.

Performance Table Closing [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

Putnam Global Industrial Fund | Class A

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

5.75%

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

1.00%

^[1]

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.10%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.97%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.70%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.27%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 697

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

1,094

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,515

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 2,686

Annual Return 2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

24.67%

Annual Return 2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

32.52%

Annual Return 2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

(14.67%)

Annual Return 2012

rr_AnnualReturn2012

27.01%

Annual Return 2013

rr_AnnualReturn2013

40.45%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

0.60%

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(5.19%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

13.85%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

16.10%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Industrial Fund | Class B

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

5.00%

^[4]

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

1.00%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.10%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.72%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.70%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

2.02%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 705

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

1,078

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,578

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,819

Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

205

Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

778

Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

1,378

Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

$ 2,819

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(4.31%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

14.16%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

16.40%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Industrial Fund | Class C

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

1.00%

^[5]

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

1.00%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.10%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.72%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.70%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

2.02%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 305

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

778

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,378

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

3,000

Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

205

Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

778

Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

1,378

Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

$ 3,000

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(1.00%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

14.37%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

16.39%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Industrial Fund | Class M

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

3.50%

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.75%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.10%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.47%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.70%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.77%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 524

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

1,028

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,559

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 3,007

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(3.40%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

13.88%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

16.02%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Industrial Fund | Class R

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.10%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.22%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.70%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.52%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 155

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

627

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,126

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 2,500

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

0.36%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

14.98%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

16.99%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Industrial Fund | Class Y

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.10%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.72%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.70%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.02%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 104

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

474

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

868

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 1,972

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

0.88%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

15.51%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

17.55%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Industrial Fund | after taxes on distributions | Class A

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(10.33%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

11.20%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

13.66%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Industrial Fund | after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares | Class A

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(1.61%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.26%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

12.35%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Industrial Fund | MSCI World Industrials Index (ND) (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes other than withholding taxes on reinvested dividends)

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

0.42%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

11.75%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

14.22%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Technology Fund

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund summary

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Goal

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Putnam Global Technology Fund seeks capital appreciation.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 57 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

12-30-2016

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 111%.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

111.00%

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 57 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount

$ 50,000

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Only the first year of each period in the example takes into account the expense reimbursement described above. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Investments

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

For this non-diversified fund concentrating in the technology industries, we invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential. Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in securities of companies in the technology industries. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. Potential investments include companies that have, or will develop, products, processes or services that will provide advances and improvements through technology to consumers, enterprises and governments worldwide. We may purchase stocks of companies with stock prices that reflect a value lower than that which we place on the company. We may also consider other factors that we believe will cause the stock price to rise. We may consider, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell investments. We may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes, and may engage in short sales of securities.

Strategy Portfolio Concentration [Text]

rr_StrategyPortfolioConcentration

For this non-diversified fund concentrating in the technology industries, we invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

The value of stocks in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including both general financial market conditions and factors related to a specific company or industry. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies. The technology industries may be affected by technological obsolescence, short product cycles, falling prices and profits, competitive pressures and general market conditions. Our policy of concentrating on a limited group of industries and the fund’s “non-diversified” status, which means the fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified fund,” can increase the fund’s vulnerability to adverse developments affecting a single industry or issuer, which may result in greater losses and volatility for the fund. The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments (such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation or deflation), and may be or become illiquid. Our use of derivatives may increase these risks by increasing investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations. Our use of short selling may result in losses if the securities appreciate in value.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus

Our policy of concentrating on a limited group of industries and the fund’s “non-diversified” status, which means the fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified fund,” can increase the fund’s vulnerability to adverse developments affecting a single industry or issuer, which may result in greater losses and volatility for the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time.

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

putnam.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges

Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text]

rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads

The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower.

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date performance
through 9/30/15    -2.44%

Best calendar quarter
Q2 2009   21.85%

Worst calendar quarter
Q2 2010    –11.26%

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date performance through

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2015

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

(244.00%)

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best calendar quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Jun. 30, 2009

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

21.85%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst calendar quarter

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Jun. 30, 2010

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(11.26%)

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/14)

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown

After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes.

Performance Table Closing [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

Putnam Global Technology Fund | Class A

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

5.75%

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

1.00%

^[1]

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.87%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.74%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.48%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.26%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 696

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

1,047

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,422

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 2,471

Annual Return 2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

53.49%

Annual Return 2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

10.51%

Annual Return 2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

(5.95%)

Annual Return 2012

rr_AnnualReturn2012

13.12%

Annual Return 2013

rr_AnnualReturn2013

24.27%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

13.51%

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.98%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

9.35%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

15.74%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Technology Fund | Class B

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

5.00%

^[4]

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

1.00%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.87%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.49%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.48%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

2.01%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 704

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

1,030

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,482

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,605

Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

204

Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

730

Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

1,282

Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

$ 2,605

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.65%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

9.54%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

16.00%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Technology Fund | Class C

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

1.00%

^[5]

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

1.00%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.87%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.49%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.48%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

2.01%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 304

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

730

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,282

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,790

Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

204

Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

730

Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

1,282

Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

$ 2,790

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

11.65%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

9.80%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

16.00%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Technology Fund | Class M

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

3.50%

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.75%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.87%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.24%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.48%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.76%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 523

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

981

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,466

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 2,799

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

9.00%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

9.31%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

15.61%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Technology Fund | Class R

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.87%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.99%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.48%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.51%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 154

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

578

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,028

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 2,278

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

13.24%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.37%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

16.59%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Technology Fund | Class Y

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.87%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.49%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.48%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.01%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 103

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

424

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

768

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 1,738

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

13.81%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.91%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

17.17%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Technology Fund | after taxes on distributions | Class A

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.64%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

8.77%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

14.87%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Technology Fund | after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares | Class A

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

4.91%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

7.36%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

12.66%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Technology Fund | MSCI World Information Technology Index (ND) (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes other than withholding taxes on reinvested dividends)

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

16.06%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

12.77%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

18.55%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Telecommunication Fund

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund summary

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Goal

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Putnam Global Telecommunications Fund seeks capital appreciation.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 57 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

12-30-2016

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 64%.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

64.00%

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 57 of the fund’s prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund’s statement of additional information (SAI).

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount

$ 50,000

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Only the first year of each period in the example takes into account the expense reimbursement described above. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Investments

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

For this non-diversified fund concentrating in the telecommunications industries, we invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential. Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the fund’s net assets in securities of companies in the telecommunication industries. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. Potential investments include companies that develop, manufacture or sell communications services or communications equipment, and companies that bundle video with communications services. We may purchase stocks of companies with stock prices that reflect a value lower than that which we place on the company. We may also consider other factors that we believe will cause the stock price to rise. We may consider, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell investments. We may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes, and may engage in short sales of securities.

Strategy Portfolio Concentration [Text]

rr_StrategyPortfolioConcentration

For this non-diversified fund concentrating in the telecommunications industries, we invest mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

The value of stocks in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including both general financial market conditions and factors related to a specific company or industry. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies. The telecommunications industry may be affected by government regulation, intense competition, equipment incompatibility, changing consumer preferences, technological obsolescence and large capital expenditures and debt burdens. Our policy of concentrating on a limited group of industries and the fund’s ”non-diversified” status, which means the fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified fund,” can increase the fund’s vulnerability to adverse developments affecting a single industry or issuer, which may result in greater losses and volatility for the fund. The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments (such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation or deflation), and may be or become illiquid. Our use of derivatives may increase these risks by increasing investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations. Our use of short selling may result in losses if the securities appreciate in value.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus

Our policy of concentrating on a limited group of industries and the fund’s “non-diversified” status, which means the fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified fund,” can increase the fund’s vulnerability to adverse developments affecting a single industry or issuer, which may result in greater losses and volatility for the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time.

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

putnam.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges

Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text]

rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads

The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower.

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date performance
through 9/30/15    0.00%

Best calendar quarter
Q3 2010   22.02%

Worst calendar quarter
Q1 2009    –14.45%

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date performance through

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2015

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

none

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best calendar quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2010

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

22.02%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst calendar quarter

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Mar. 31, 2009

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(14.45%)

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/14)

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown

After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes.

Performance Table Closing [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

Putnam Global Telecommunication Fund | Class A

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

5.75%

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

1.00%

^[1]

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.92%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.79%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.53%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.26%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 696

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

1,057

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,442

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 2,518

Annual Return 2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

13.24%

Annual Return 2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

21.53%

Annual Return 2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

3.97%

Annual Return 2012

rr_AnnualReturn2012

18.57%

Annual Return 2013

rr_AnnualReturn2013

35.50%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

(2.68%)

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(8.28%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

13.24%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

13.48%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Telecommunication Fund | Class B

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

5.00%

^[4]

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

1.00%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.92%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.54%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.53%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

2.01%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 704

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

1,040

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,503

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,651

Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

204

Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

740

Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

1,303

Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

$ 2,651

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(7.27%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

13.49%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

13.73%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Telecommunication Fund | Class C

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

1.00%

^[5]

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

1.00%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.92%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.54%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.53%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

2.01%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 304

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

740

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,303

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,836

Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

204

Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

740

Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

1,303

Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

$ 2,836

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(4.20%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

13.74%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

13.74%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Telecommunication Fund | Class M

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

3.50%

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.75%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.92%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.29%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.53%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.76%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 523

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

991

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,486

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 2,844

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(6.59%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

13.22%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

13.35%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Telecommunication Fund | Class R

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.92%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.04%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.53%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.51%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 154

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

588

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,049

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 2,327

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(2.95%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

14.31%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

14.31%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Telecommunication Fund | Class Y

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.62%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.92%

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.54%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.53%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.01%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 103

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

434

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

789

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 1,789

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(2.49%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

14.88%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

14.88%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Telecommunication Fund | after taxes on distributions | Class A

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(14.94%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.71%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

11.31%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Telecommunication Fund | after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares | Class A

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(2.81%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

10.11%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

10.54%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Global Telecommunication Fund | MSCI World Telecommunication Services Index (ND) (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes other than withholding taxes on reinvested dividends)

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(1.91%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

8.75%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

9.31%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Dec. 18, 2008

Putnam Retirement Income Fund Lifestyle 2

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

Fund summary

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Goal

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Putnam Retirement Income Fund Lifestyle 2 seeks current income consistent with what Putnam Investment Management, LLC believes to be prudent risk.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in class A shares or $50,000 in class M shares of Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 26 of the fund's prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund's statement of additional information (SAI).

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

12-30-2016

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund pays transaction-related costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or the above example, affect fund performance. The fund’s turnover rate in the most recent fiscal year was 40%.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

40.00%

Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text]

rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in class A shares or $50,000 in class M shares of Putnam funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor and in How do I buy fund shares? beginning on page 26 of the fund's prospectus and in How to buy shares beginning on page II-1 of the fund's statement of additional information (SAI).

Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]

rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount

$ 50,000

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

The following hypothetical example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all your shares at the end of those periods. It assumes a 5% return on your investment each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Only the first year of each period in the example takes into account the expense reimbursement described above. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Investments

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

The fund’s asset allocation strategy may be attractive to investors who are in or near retirement, or who otherwise intend to make periodic withdrawals of their investment in the near future. Using qualitative analysis and quantitative techniques, we adjust portfolio allocations between fixed-income and equity investments from time to time within a certain range to try to optimize the fund’s performance consistent with its goal.

The strategic allocation and the range of allowable allocation for the fund are shown below.

Class	Strategic allocation	Range
Equity	30%	0–40%
Fixed-Income	70%	60–100%

We invest mainly in a combination of bonds and common stocks of U.S. and non-U.S. companies and in Putnam Absolute Return 100 Fund, Putnam Absolute Return 300 Fund, Putnam Absolute Return 500 Fund and Putnam Absolute Return 700 Fund, which are other Putnam mutual funds and referred to as underlying funds. We may invest without limit in bonds that are either investment-grade or below-investment-grade in quality (sometimes referred to as “junk bonds”) and have short- to long-term maturities. We also invest in other fixed-income securities, such as mortgage-backed investments, and invest in money market securities or affiliated money market or short-term investment funds for cash management. We also invest, to a lesser extent, in equity securities (growth or value stocks or both) of companies of any size. We may consider, among other factors, credit, interest rate and prepayment risks, as well as general market conditions, when deciding whether to buy or sell fixed-income investments, and, among other factors, a company’s valuation, financial strength, growth potential, competitive position in its industry, projected future earnings, cash flows and dividends when deciding whether to buy or sell equity investments.

We may also select other investments that do not fall within these asset classes. We may use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes.

The typical allocation and the range of allowable allocation of the fund’s assets in the underlying funds that we currently expect are shown below.

Underlying fund	Permitted investments	Typical allocation	Range
Putnam Absolute Return 100 Fund	Fixed-income, derivatives	5%	0–20%
Putnam Absolute Return 300 Fund	Fixed-income, derivatives	12%	0–30%
Putnam Absolute Return 500 Fund	Equities, fixed-income, alternative investments, derivatives	20%	0–40%
Putnam Absolute Return 700 Fund	Equities, fixed-income, alternative investments, derivatives	3%	0–20%

For purposes of measuring the fund’s allocations to fixed-income and equity investments, we regard Putnam Absolute Return 100 Fund and Putnam Absolute Return 300 Fund as fixed-income investments, Putnam Absolute Return 500 Fund as a 50% fixed-income and 50% equity investment, and Putnam Absolute Return 700 Fund as an equity investment. The fund’s remaining assets are invested in other securities, as described above.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund. There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income at and through an investor’s retirement.

The fund and the underlying funds bear the following risks. Our allocation of assets among asset classes and the underlying funds may hurt performance. The value of stocks and bonds in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including general financial market conditions, changing market perceptions of the risk of default, changes in government intervention in the financial markets, and factors related to a specific issuer or industry. These factors may also lead to periods of high volatility and reduced liquidity in the bond markets. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. These risks are generally greater for small and midsize companies.

Bond investments are subject to interest rate risk, which means the value of the fund’s bond investments is likely to fall if interest rates rise. Bond investments also are subject to credit risk, which is the risk that the issuer of the bond may default on payment of interest or principal. Interest rate risk is generally greater for longer-term bonds, and credit risk is generally greater for below-investment-grade bonds, which may be considered speculative. Mortgage-backed investments, unlike traditional debt investments, are also subject to prepayment risk, which means that they may increase in value less than other bonds when interest rates decline and decline in value more than other bonds when interest rates rise. We may have to invest the proceeds from prepaid investments, including mortgage- and asset-backed investments, in other investments with less attractive terms and yields.

The value of international investments traded in foreign currencies may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates. International investments, particularly investments in emerging markets, may carry risks associated with potentially less stable economies or governments (such as the risk of seizure by a foreign government, the imposition of currency or other restrictions, or high levels of inflation or deflation), and may be or become illiquid. Our use of derivatives may increase these risks by increasing investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) or, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, because of the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations.

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Investor profile

The fund is one of a suite of three Putnam Retirement Income Lifestyle Funds designed to offer a choice of potential risk/return profiles for investors in or near retirement or otherwise seeking an investment for use with a periodic withdrawal program. Investors are encouraged to seek the assistance of a financial advisor in selecting a Putnam Retirement Income Lifestyle Fund and in developing a periodic withdrawal program that is appropriate to their personal investment goals and financial circumstances. The fund makes no representations regarding its suitability for any particular investor or periodic withdrawal program. Investors should understand that pursuing higher returns may involve higher volatility and that a fund’s performance results may not be sustainable.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time.

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

putnam.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges

Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text]

rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads

The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower.

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date performance
through 9/30/15    -1.95%

Best calendar quarter
Q1 2012   4.84%

Worst calendar quarter
Q3 2014    -0.79%

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date performance through

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2015

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

(1.95%)

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best calendar quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Mar. 31, 2012

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

4.84%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst calendar quarter

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2014

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(0.79%)

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/14)

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown

After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes.

Performance Table Closing [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock

After-tax returns reflect the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are shown for class A shares only and will vary for other classes. These after-tax returns do not apply if you hold your fund shares through a 401(k) plan, an IRA, or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

Putnam Retirement Income Fund Lifestyle 2 | Class A

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

4.00%

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

1.00%

^[1]

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.29%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.34%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.30%

^[7]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.18%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.18%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.00%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 498

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

946

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,419

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 2,724

Annual Return 2012

rr_AnnualReturn2012

8.00%

Annual Return 2013

rr_AnnualReturn2013

7.20%

Annual Return 2014

rr_AnnualReturn2014

4.47%

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

0.29%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.61%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jun. 13, 2001

Putnam Retirement Income Fund Lifestyle 2 | Class B

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

5.00%

^[4]

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.29%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

1.00%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.34%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.30%

^[7]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.93%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.18%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.75%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 678

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

1,095

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,639

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,989

Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

178

Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

795

Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

1,439

Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

$ 2,989

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(1.31%)

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.25%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jun. 13, 2001

Putnam Retirement Income Fund Lifestyle 2 | Class C

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

1.00%

^[5]

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.29%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

1.00%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.34%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.30%

^[7]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.93%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.18%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.75%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 278

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

795

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,439

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

3,168

Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01

178

Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03

795

Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05

1,439

Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10

$ 3,168

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.69%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.02%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jun. 13, 2001

Putnam Retirement Income Fund Lifestyle 2 | Class M

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

3.25%

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.29%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.34%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.30%

^[7]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.43%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.18%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.25%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 448

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

949

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,475

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 2,915

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

0.85%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.59%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jun. 13, 2001

Putnam Retirement Income Fund Lifestyle 2 | Class R

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.29%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.34%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.30%

^[7]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.43%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.18%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.25%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 127

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

645

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,189

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 2,676

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

4.24%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.55%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jun. 13, 2001

Putnam Retirement Income Fund Lifestyle 2 | Class Y

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.29%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.34%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.30%

^[7]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.93%

Expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.18%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.75%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

$ 77

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

491

Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

932

Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

$ 2,158

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

4.80%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

5.08%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jun. 13, 2001

Putnam Retirement Income Fund Lifestyle 2 | after taxes on distributions | Class A

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(1.18%)

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

2.52%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jun. 13, 2001

Putnam Retirement Income Fund Lifestyle 2 | after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares | Class A

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

0.52%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

2.43%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jun. 13, 2001

Putnam Retirement Income Fund Lifestyle 2 | Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.97%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.51%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jun. 13, 2001

Putnam Retirement Income Fund Lifestyle 2 | S&P 500 Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Risk Return Abstract

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

13.69%

Since Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

17.03%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Jun. 13, 2001

[1] Applies only to certain redemptions of shares bought with no initial sales charge.

[2] Management fees are subject to a performance adjustment.

[3] Reflects Putnam Investment Management, LLC's contractual obligation to limit certain fund expenses through December 30, 2016. This obligation may be modified or discontinued only with approval of the Board of Trustees.

[4] This charge is phased out over six years.

[5] This charge is eliminated after one year.

[6] Reflects Putnam Investment Management, LLC's contractual obligation to limit certain fund expenses through 12/30/2016. This obligation may be modified or discontinued only with approval of the Board of Trustees.

[7] Acquired fund fees and expenses are based on projected net expenses of the underlying funds and assume the fund's typical allocations to the underlying funds described in Investments, risks and performance -- Investments and a 4% allocation to Putnam Money Market Fund.