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Label Element Value
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Document Type dei_DocumentType 485BPOS
Document Period End Date dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate Dec. 31, 2016
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 Feb. 28, 2017
Document Effective Date dei_DocumentEffectiveDate Feb. 28, 2017
Prospectus Date rr_ProspectusDate Feb. 28, 2017
Putnam Absolute Return 100 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 Absolute Return 100 Fund seeks to earn a positive total return that exceeds the return on U.S. Treasury bills by 100 basis points (or 1.00%) on an annualized basis over a reasonable period of time (generally at least three years or more) regardless of market conditions.
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 $500,000 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 40 of the fund’s prospectus, in the Appendix to 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)
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 129%.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 129.00%
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 $500,000 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 40 of the fund’s prospectus, in the Appendix to 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 $ 500,000
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. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Investments
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock The fund is designed to pursue a consistent absolute return through a broadly diversified portfolio reflecting uncorrelated fixed-income strategies designed to exploit market inefficiencies across global markets and fixed-income sectors. These strategies include investments in the following asset categories: (a) sovereign debt: obligations of governments in developed and emerging markets; (b) corporate credit: investment-grade debt, below-investment-grade debt (sometimes referred to as “junk bonds”), bank loans, convertible bonds and structured credit; and (c) securitized assets: asset-backed securities, residential mortgage-backed securities (which may be backed by non-qualified or “sub-prime” mortgages), commercial mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations. In pursuing a consistent absolute return, the fund’s strategies are also generally intended to produce lower volatility over a reasonable period of time than has been historically associated with traditional asset classes that have earned similar levels of return over long historical periods. These traditional asset classes might include, for example, short-term debt securities.

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 investments. We typically use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes. Accordingly, we may use derivatives to a significant extent to obtain or enhance exposure to the fixed-income sectors and strategies mentioned above, and to hedge against risk.

Putnam Absolute Return 100 Fund has a lower risk and return profile than Putnam Absolute Return 300 Fund as a result of decreased exposure to the fixed-income sectors and strategies mentioned above. Another distinction between the funds is that Putnam Absolute Return 100 Fund may maintain a higher cash position from time to time.
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.

Our allocation of assets among fixed-income strategies and sectors may hurt performance. The value of 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 (including perceptions about the risk of default and expectations about monetary policy or interest rates), changes in government intervention in the financial markets, and factors related to a specific issuer or industry. These and other factors may lead to increased volatility and reduced liquidity in the fund’s portfolio holdings.

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. The fund’s efforts to produce lower volatility returns may not be successful and may make it more difficult at times for the fund to achieve its targeted return. In addition, under certain market conditions, the fund may accept greater volatility than would typically be the case, in order to seek its targeted return. 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 four Putnam Absolute Return Funds designed for investors seeking positive total return in excess of the return on U.S. Treasury bills by a targeted amount (100, 300, 500 or 700 basis points) on an annualized basis over a reasonable period of time (a full market cycle, which is generally at least three years but may potentially be significantly longer) regardless of market conditions. Because the fund seeks performance over a reasonable period of time, investors should be willing to wait out short-term market fluctuations and should generally have an investment horizon of at least three years or more. The fund may be suitable for you if you are seeking cash investments that earn a stable return and income over time, particularly if you are in or near retirement.
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 Best calendar quarter
Q1 2012  1.71%

Worst calendar quarter
Q3 2011  -2.22%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best calendar quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Mar. 31, 2012
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 1.71%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst calendar quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (2.22%)
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/16)
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.

Class B share performance reflects conversion to class A shares after eight years.

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and the S&P 500 Index are broad measures of market performance. Securities in the fund do not match those in the indexes and the performance of the fund will differ.
Putnam Absolute Return 100 Fund | Class A  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 1.00%
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 0.37% [2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.01%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.63%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 164
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 300
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 448
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 878
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 4.04%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 1.16%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (1.91%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 2.77%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 1.77%
Annual Return 2014 rr_AnnualReturn2014 0.69%
Annual Return 2015 rr_AnnualReturn2015 (0.51%)
Annual Return 2016 rr_AnnualReturn2016 2.27%
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.24%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.19%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 1.14%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 100 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 1.00% [3]
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.37% [2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.45%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.01%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.83%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 185
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 265
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 460
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 968
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 85
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 265
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 460
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 968
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.01%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.18%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 1.00%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 100 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% [4]
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.37% [2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.01%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.38%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 240
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 437
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 755
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,657
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 140
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 437
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 755
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,657
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.48%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.63%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 0.52%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 100 Fund | Class M  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 0.75%
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 0.37% [2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.30%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.01%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.68%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 144
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 291
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 451
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 915
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.38%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.18%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 1.10%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 100 Fund | Class P  
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 0.37% [2]
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.01% [5]
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.38%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 39
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 122
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 213
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 480
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.44% [6]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.64% [6]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 1.51% [6]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 100 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 0.37% [2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.50%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.01%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.88%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 90
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 281
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 488
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,084
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.94%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.14%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 1.01%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 100 Fund | Class R6  
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 0.37% [2]
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.01%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.38%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 39
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 122
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 213
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 480
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.44% [6]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.65% [6]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 1.52% [6]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 100 Fund | Class T  
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 0.37% [2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.01% [5]
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.63%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 64
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 202
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 351
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 786
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.27% [7]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.39% [7]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 1.27% [7]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 100 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 0.37% [2]
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.01%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.38%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 39
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 122
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 213
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 480
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.44%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.64%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 1.51%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 100 Fund | after taxes on distributions | Class A  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.18%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.54%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 0.59%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 100 Fund | after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares | Class A  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.70%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.62%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 0.66%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 100 Fund | BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. Treasury Bill Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.37%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.14%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 0.17%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 100 Fund | BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. Treasury Bill Index plus 100 basis points (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.37%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.14%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 1.17%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 100 Fund | S&P 500 Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 11.96%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 14.66%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.08%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 100 Fund | Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.65%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.23%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.93%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 300 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 Absolute Return 300 Fund seeks to earn a positive total return that exceeds the return on U.S. Treasury bills by 300 basis points (or 3.00%) on an annualized basis over a reasonable period of time (generally at least three years or more) regardless of market conditions.
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 $500,000 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 40 of the fund’s prospectus, in the Appendix to 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)
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 428%.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 428.00%
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 $500,000 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 40 of the fund’s prospectus, in the Appendix to 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 $ 500,000
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. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Investments
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock The fund is designed to pursue a consistent absolute return through a broadly diversified portfolio reflecting uncorrelated fixed-income strategies designed to exploit market inefficiencies across global markets and fixed-income sectors. These strategies include investments in the following asset categories: (a) sovereign debt: obligations of governments in developed and emerging markets; (b) corporate credit: investment-grade debt, below-investment-grade debt (sometimes referred to as “junk bonds”), bank loans, convertible bonds and structured credit; and (c) securitized assets: asset-backed securities, residential mortgage-backed securities (which may be backed by non-qualified or “sub-prime” mortgages), commercial mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations. In pursuing a consistent absolute return, the fund’s strategies are also generally intended to produce lower volatility over a reasonable period of time than has been historically associated with traditional asset classes that have earned similar levels of return over long historical periods. These traditional asset classes might include, for example, bonds with moderate exposure to interest rate and credit risks.

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 investments. We typically use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes. Accordingly, we may use derivatives to a significant extent to obtain or enhance exposure to the fixed-income sectors and strategies mentioned above, and to hedge against risk.

Putnam Absolute Return 300 Fund has a higher risk and return profile than Putnam Absolute Return 100 Fund as a result of increased exposure to the fixed-income sectors and strategies mentioned above. Another distinction between the funds is that Putnam Absolute Return 100 Fund may maintain a higher cash position from time to time.
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.

Our allocation of assets among fixed-income strategies and sectors may hurt performance. The value of 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 (including perceptions about the risk of default and expectations about monetary policy or interest rates), changes in government intervention in the financial markets, and factors related to a specific issuer or industry. These and other factors may lead to increased volatility and reduced liquidity in the fund’s portfolio holdings.

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. The fund’s efforts to produce lower volatility returns may not be successful and may make it more difficult at times for the fund to achieve its targeted return. In addition, under certain market conditions, the fund may accept greater volatility than would typically be the case, in order to seek its targeted return. 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 four Putnam Absolute Return Funds designed for investors seeking positive total return in excess of the return on U.S. Treasury bills by a targeted amount (100, 300, 500 or 700 basis points) on an annualized basis over a reasonable period of time (a full market cycle, which is generally at least three years but may potentially be significantly longer) regardless of market conditions. Because the fund seeks performance over a reasonable period of time, investors should be willing to wait out short-term market fluctuations and should generally have an investment horizon of at least three years or more. The fund may be suitable for you if you are considering a bond fund with moderate exposure to interest rate and credit risks.
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 Best calendar quarter
Q1 2012  3.36%

Worst calendar quarter
Q3 2011  -4.09%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best calendar quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Mar. 31, 2012
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 3.36%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst calendar quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (4.09%)
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/16)
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.

Class B share performance reflects conversion to class A shares after eight years.

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and the S&P 500 Index are broad measures of market performance. Securities in the fund do not match those in the indexes and the performance of the fund will differ.
Putnam Absolute Return 300 Fund | Class A  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 1.00%
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 0.45% [8]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.70%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 171
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 322
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 486
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 962
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 8.23%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 3.10%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (4.37%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 5.63%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 4.35%
Annual Return 2014 rr_AnnualReturn2014 1.53%
Annual Return 2015 rr_AnnualReturn2015 (1.91%)
Annual Return 2016 rr_AnnualReturn2016 2.01%
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.99%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.09%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 2.12%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 300 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 1.00% [3]
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.45% [8]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.45%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.90%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 192
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 287
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 498
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,051
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 92
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 287
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 498
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,051
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.83%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.09%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 1.98%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 300 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% [4]
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.45% [8]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.45%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 248
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 459
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 792
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,735
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 148
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 459
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 792
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,735
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.20%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.51%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 1.48%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 300 Fund | Class M  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 0.75%
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 0.45% [8]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.30%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.75%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 151
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 313
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 489
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 998
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.22%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.08%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 2.08%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 300 Fund | Class P  
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 0.45% [8]
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.45%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 46
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 144
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 252
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 567
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.32% [6]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.55% [6]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 2.50% [6]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 300 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 0.45% [8]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.50%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.95%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 97
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 303
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 525
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,166
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.75%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.04%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 1.99%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 300 Fund | Class R6  
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 0.45% [8]
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.45%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 46
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 144
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 252
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 567
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.23% [6]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.56% [6]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 2.51% [6]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 300 Fund | Class T  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 2.50%
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 0.45% [8]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.70%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 320
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 468
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 630
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,099
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (0.54%) [7]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.77% [7]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 1.93% [7]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 300 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 0.45% [8]
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.45%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 46
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 144
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 252
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 567
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.23%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.53%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 2.49%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 300 Fund | after taxes on distributions | Class A  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (0.32%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.66%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 1.00%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 300 Fund | after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares | Class A  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.56%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.96%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 1.16%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 300 Fund | BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. Treasury Bill Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.37%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.14%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 0.17%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 300 Fund | BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. Treasury Bill Index plus 300 basis points (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 3.37%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.14%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.17%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 300 Fund | S&P 500 Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 11.96%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 14.66%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.08%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 300 Fund | Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.65%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.23%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.93%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 500 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 Absolute Return 500 Fund seeks to earn a positive total return that exceeds the return on U.S. Treasury bills by 500 basis points (or 5.00%) on an annualized basis over a reasonable period of time (generally at least three years or more) regardless of market conditions.
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 40 of the fund’s prospectus, in the Appendix to 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)
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 522%.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 522.00%
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 40 of the fund’s prospectus, in the Appendix to 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 is designed to pursue a consistent absolute return by combining two independent investment strategies — a beta strategy, which provides broad exposure to investment markets, and an alpha strategy, which seeks returns from active trading. The beta strategy seeks to balance risk and to provide positive total return by investing, without limit, in many different asset classes, including U.S., international, and emerging markets equity securities (growth or value stocks or both) and fixed-income securities; mortgage- and asset-backed securities; below-investment-grade securities (sometimes referred to as “junk bonds”); inflation-protected securities; commodities; and real estate investment trusts (REITs). The alpha strategy involves the potential use of active trading strategies designed to provide additional total return through active security selection, tactical asset allocation, currency transactions and options transactions. In pursuing a consistent absolute return, the fund’s strategies are also generally intended to produce lower volatility over a reasonable period of time than has been historically associated with traditional asset classes that have earned similar levels of return over long historical periods. These traditional asset classes might include, for example, balanced portfolios with significant exposure to both stocks and bonds.

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 equity investments, and, among other factors, credit, interest rate and prepayment risks when deciding whether to buy or sell fixed-income investments. We may also take into account general market conditions when making investment decisions. We typically use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, to a significant extent for hedging purposes and to increase the fund’s exposure to the asset classes and strategies mentioned above, which may create investment leverage.

Putnam Absolute Return 500 Fund has a lower risk and return profile than Putnam Absolute Return 700 Fund as a result of decreased exposure to the asset classes and strategies mentioned 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.

Our allocation of assets among asset classes 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 (including perceptions about the risk of default and expectations about monetary policy or interest rates), changes in government intervention in the financial markets, and factors related to a specific issuer or industry. These and other factors may lead to increased volatility and reduced liquidity in the fund’s portfolio holdings. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound.

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 alpha strategy may lose money or not earn a return sufficient to cover associated trading and other costs. Our use of leverage obtained through derivatives increases these risks by increasing investment exposure. Derivatives also involve the risk, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, 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. The fund’s efforts to produce lower volatility returns may not be successful and may make it more difficult at times for the fund to achieve its targeted return. In addition, under certain market conditions, the fund may accept greater volatility than would typically be the case, in order to seek its targeted return. 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 four Putnam Absolute Return Funds designed for investors seeking positive total return in excess of the return on U.S. Treasury bills by a targeted amount (100, 300, 500 or 700 basis points) on an annualized basis over a reasonable period of time (a full market cycle, which is generally at least three years but may potentially be significantly longer) regardless of market conditions. Because the fund seeks performance over a reasonable period of time, investors should be willing to wait out short-term market fluctuations and should generally have an investment horizon of at least three years or more. The fund may be suitable for you if you are considering a balanced fund, or a fund that can manage allocations and risk across global asset classes.
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 Best calendar quarter
Q1 2012  5.31%

Worst calendar quarter
Q3 2011 -4.83%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best calendar quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Mar. 31, 2012
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 5.31%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst calendar quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (4.83%)
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/16)
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.

Class B share performance reflects conversion to class A shares after eight years.

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and the S&P 500 Index are broad measures of market performance. Securities in the fund do not match those in the indexes and the performance of the fund will differ.
Putnam Absolute Return 500 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% [9]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.21%
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.02%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.10%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.03%) [10]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.07%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 678
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 902
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,144
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,836
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 9.92%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 2.68%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 0.61%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 6.92%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 4.32%
Annual Return 2014 rr_AnnualReturn2014 4.11%
Annual Return 2015 rr_AnnualReturn2015 (0.57%)
Annual Return 2016 rr_AnnualReturn2016 1.12%
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.69%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.93%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 2.82%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 500 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% [11]
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.62% [9]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.21%
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.02%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.85%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.03%) [10]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.82%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 685
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 879
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,198
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,970
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 185
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 579
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 998
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,970
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.62%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.01%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 2.80%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 500 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% [4]
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.62% [9]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.21%
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.02%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.85%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.03%) [10]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.82%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 285
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 579
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 998
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,167
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 185
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 579
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 998
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 2,167
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (0.72%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.36%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 2.80%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 500 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% [9]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.75%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.21%
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.02%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.60%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.03%) [10]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.57%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 504
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 834
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,188
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 2,181
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.86%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.90%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 2.61%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 500 Fund | Class P  
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% [9]
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.09% [12]
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.02%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.73%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.03%) [10]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.70%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 72
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 230
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 403
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 904
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.50% [6]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.42% [6]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.85% [6]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 500 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% [9]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.50%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.21%
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.02%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.35%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.03%) [10]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.32%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 134
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 425
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 736
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,621
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.82%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.88%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.31%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 500 Fund | Class R6  
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% [9]
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.13%
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.02%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.77%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.03%) [10]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.74%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 76
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 243
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 425
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 951
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.40% [6]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.46% [6]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.88% [6]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 500 Fund | Class T  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 2.50%
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% [9]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.21% [12]
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.02%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.10%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.03%) [10],[12]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.07%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 356
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 588
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 838
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,554
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (1.40%) [7]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.63% [7]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.25% [7]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 500 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% [9]
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.21%
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.02%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.85%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.03%) [10]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.82%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 84
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 268
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 468
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,046
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.40%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.40%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.84%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 500 Fund | after taxes on distributions | Class A  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.69%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.11%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 2.00%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 500 Fund | after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares | Class A  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.65%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.29%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 1.96%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 500 Fund | BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. Treasury Bill Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.37%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.14%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 0.17%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 500 Fund | BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. Treasury Bill Index plus 500 basis points (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 5.37%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 5.14%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.17%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 500 Fund | S&P 500 Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 11.96%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 14.66%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.08%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 500 Fund | Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.65%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.23%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.93%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 700 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 Absolute Return 700 Fund seeks to earn a positive total return that exceeds the return on U.S. Treasury bills by 700 basis points (or 7.00%) on an annualized basis over a reasonable period of time (generally at least three years or more) regardless of market conditions.
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 40 of the fund’s prospectus, in the Appendix to 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)
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 578%.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 578.00%
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 40 of the fund’s prospectus, in the Appendix to 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
Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text] rr_ExpensesRestatedToReflectCurrent Restated to reflect current fees resulting from a change to the fund's investor servicing arrangements effective September 1, 2016.
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. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Investments
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock The fund is designed to pursue a consistent absolute return by combining two independent investment strategies — a beta strategy, which provides broad exposure to investment markets, and an alpha strategy, which seeks returns from active trading. The beta strategy seeks to balance risk and to provide positive total return by investing, without limit, in many different asset classes, including U.S., international, and emerging markets equity securities (growth or value stocks or both) and fixed-income securities; mortgage- and asset-backed securities; below-investment-grade securities (sometimes referred to as “junk bonds”); inflation-protected securities; commodities; and real estate investment trusts (REITs). The alpha strategy involves the potential use of active trading strategies designed to provide additional total return through active security selection, tactical asset allocation, currency transactions and options transactions. In pursuing a consistent absolute return, the fund’s strategies are also generally intended to produce lower volatility over a reasonable period of time than has been historically associated with traditional asset classes that have earned similar levels of return over long historical periods. These traditional asset classes might include, for example, equities or equity-like investments.

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 equity investments, and, among other factors, credit, interest rate and prepayment risks when deciding whether to buy or sell fixed-income investments. We may also take into account general market conditions when making investment decisions. We typically use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, to a significant extent for hedging purposes and to increase the fund’s exposure to the asset classes and strategies mentioned above, which may create investment leverage.

Putnam Absolute Return 700 Fund has a higher risk and return profile than Putnam Absolute Return 500 Fund as a result of increased exposure to the asset classes and strategies mentioned 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.

Our allocation of assets among asset classes 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 (including perceptions about the risk of default and expectations about monetary policy or interest rates), changes in government intervention in the financial markets, and factors related to a specific issuer or industry. These and other factors may lead to increased volatility and reduced liquidity in the fund’s portfolio holdings. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound.

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 alpha strategy may lose money or not earn a return sufficient to cover associated trading and other costs. Our use of leverage obtained through derivatives increases these risks by increasing investment exposure. Derivatives also involve the risk, in the case of many over-the-counter instruments, 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. The fund’s efforts to produce lower volatility returns may not be successful and may make it more difficult at times for the fund to achieve its targeted return. In addition, under certain market conditions, the fund may accept greater volatility than would typically be the case, in order to seek its targeted return. 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 four Putnam Absolute Return Funds designed for investors seeking positive total return in excess of the return on U.S. Treasury bills by a targeted amount (100, 300, 500 or 700 basis points) on an annualized basis over a reasonable period of time (a full market cycle, which is generally at least three years but may potentially be significantly longer) regardless of market conditions. Because the fund seeks performance over a reasonable period of time, investors should be willing to wait out short-term market fluctuations and should generally have an investment horizon of at least three years or more. The fund may be suitable for you if you are considering a stock fund, or a fund that can manage allocations and risk across global asset classes.
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 Best calendar quarter
Q1 2012  6.07%

Worst calendar quarter
Q3 2011  -5.81%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best calendar quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Mar. 31, 2012
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 6.07%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst calendar quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (5.81%)
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/16)
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.

Class B share performance reflects conversion to class A shares after eight years.

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and the S&P 500 Index are broad measures of market performance. Securities in the fund do not match those in the indexes and the performance of the fund will differ.
Putnam Absolute Return 700 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 0.72% [13]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.23% [14]
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.01%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.21%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 691
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 937
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,202
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,957
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 14.42%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 3.54%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 0.51%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 7.75%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 5.91%
Annual Return 2014 rr_AnnualReturn2014 5.95%
Annual Return 2015 rr_AnnualReturn2015 (1.65%)
Annual Return 2016 rr_AnnualReturn2016 2.71%
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (3.20%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.85%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 4.01%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 700 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% [11]
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.72% [13]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.23% [14]
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.01%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.96%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 699
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 915
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,257
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,091
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 199
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 615
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,057
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 2,091
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.98%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.95%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.98%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 700 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% [4]
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.72% [13]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.23% [14]
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.01%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.96%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 299
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 615
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,057
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,285
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 199
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 615
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,057
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 2,285
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.93%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.29%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 4.00%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 700 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 0.72% [13]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.75%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.23% [14]
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.01%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.71%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 518
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 870
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,246
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 2,299
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (1.29%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.83%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.76%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 700 Fund | Class P  
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 0.72% [13]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.09% [12]
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.01%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.82%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 84
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 262
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 455
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,014
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 3.07% [6]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.35% [6]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.03% [6]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 700 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 0.72% [13]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.50%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.23% [14]
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.01%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.46%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 149
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 462
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 797
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,746
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.55%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.84%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 4.49%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 700 Fund | Class R6  
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 0.72% [13]
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.13%
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.01%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.86%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 88
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 274
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 477
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,061
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 3.15% [6]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.43% [6]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.08% [6]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 700 Fund | Class T  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 2.50%
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 0.72% [13]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.23% [12]
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.01%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.21%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 370
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 624
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 898
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,679
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.14% [7]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.55% [7]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 4.45% [7]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 700 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 0.72% [13]
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.23% [14]
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.01%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.96%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 98
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 306
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 531
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,178
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.98%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.33%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.02%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 700 Fund | after taxes on distributions | Class A  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (3.20%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.84%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 2.99%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 700 Fund | after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares | Class A  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (1.81%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.90%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 2.81%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 700 Fund | BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. Treasury Bill Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.37%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.14%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 0.17%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 700 Fund | BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. Treasury Bill Index plus 700 basis points (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 7.37%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 7.14%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.17%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 700 Fund | S&P 500 Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 11.96%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 14.66%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.08%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Absolute Return 700 Fund | Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.65%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.23%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.93%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 23, 2008
Putnam Global Sector 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 Sector 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 19 of the fund’s prospectus, in the Appendix to 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 February 28, 2018
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 44%.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 44.00%
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 19 of the fund’s prospectus, in the Appendix to 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 allocate the fund’s assets among eight Putnam global sector funds to provide exposure to sectors of the global market in approximately the same proportions as the sector weightings in the MSCI World Index. Each underlying fund is a non-diversified fund concentrating in the market sector specified in its name, and each invests mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential.

Global Consumer Fund — Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of this underlying 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.

Global Financials Fund — Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of this underlying 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.

Global Health Care Fund — Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of this underlying fund’s net assets in securities of companies in the health care industries. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders.

Global Industrials Fund — Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of this underlying 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.

Global Natural Resources Fund — Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of this underlying fund’s net assets in securities of companies in the energy or other natural resources industries. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders.

Global Technology Fund — Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of this underlying fund’s net assets in securities of companies in the technology industries. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders.

Global Telecommunications Fund — Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of this underlying fund’s net assets in securities of companies in the telecommunication industries. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders.

Global Utilities Fund — Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of this underlying fund’s net assets in securities of companies worldwide in the utilities industries. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders.

Each underlying fund may invest in emerging markets, use derivatives, such as futures, options, foreign currency transactions, warrants and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes, and engage in short sales of securities.

We seek to rebalance the fund’s allocations monthly to remain in alignment with the index. The following table shows the fund’s approximate allocations to the underlying funds as of 12/31/16:
Underlying fund Approximate allocation as of 12/31/16
Putnam Global Consumer Fund 21.99%
Putnam Global Financials Fund 21.24%
Putnam Global Technology Fund 14.51%
Putnam Global Health Care Fund 12.08%
Putnam Global Natural Resources Fund 12.06%
Putnam Global Industrials Fund 11.15%
Putnam Global Telecommunications Fund 3.36%
Putnam Global Utilities Fund 3.19%

We may also invest in money market securities or affiliated money market or short-term fixed income funds for cash management.
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.

Our allocation of investments among the underlying funds may hurt performance. In addition, the fund’s performance is subject to the risks that may affect the performance of the underlying funds, which are as follows. The value of stocks in an underlying 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, changes in government intervention in the financial markets, and factors related to a specific company or industry. These and other factors may lead to increased volatility and reduced liquidity in the fund’s portfolio holdings. Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments, and value stocks may fail to rebound. An underlying fund’s policy of concentrating on a limited group of industries and an underlying fund’s “non-diversified” status, which means the underlying fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified” fund, can increase the underlying fund’s vulnerability to adverse developments affecting a single issuer, which may result in greater losses and volatility.

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. An underlying fund’s 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. An underlying fund’s 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 Each underlying fund is a non-diversified fund concentrating in the market sector specified in its name, and each invests mainly in common stocks (growth or value stocks or both) of large and midsize companies worldwide that we believe have favorable investment potential.
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 Best calendar quarter
Q1 2012  13.67%

Worst calendar quarter
Q3 2011  -20.98%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best calendar quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Mar. 31, 2012
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 13.67%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst calendar quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (20.98%)
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ending 12/31/16)
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 Sector 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 none
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 1.60%
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 1.00%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 2.85%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (1.60%) [15]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.25%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 695
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 1,264
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,859
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 3,459
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (9.80%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 17.95%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 29.04%
Annual Return 2014 rr_AnnualReturn2014 3.17%
Annual Return 2015 rr_AnnualReturn2015 (0.23%)
Annual Return 2016 rr_AnnualReturn2016 5.52%
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (0.55%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 9.27%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.61%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 31, 2010
Putnam Global Sector 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% [11]
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets none
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 1.60%
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 1.00%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 3.60%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (1.60%) [15]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 2.00%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 703
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 1,255
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,928
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 3,590
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 203
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 955
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,728
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 3,590
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (0.24%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 9.47%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.74%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 31, 2010
Putnam Global Sector 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% [4]
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets none
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 1.60%
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 1.00%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 3.60%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (1.60%) [15]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 2.00%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 303
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 955
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,728
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 3,758
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 203
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 955
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,728
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 3,758
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 3.74%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 9.74%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.74%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 31, 2010
Putnam Global Sector 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 none
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.75%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 1.60%
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 1.00%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 3.35%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (1.60%) [15]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.75%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 522
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 1,200
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,901
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 3,758
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.24%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 9.22%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.44%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 31, 2010
Putnam Global Sector 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 none
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.50%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 1.60%
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 1.00%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 3.10%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (1.60%) [15]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.50%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 153
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 807
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,486
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 3,299
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 5.20%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 10.29%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.28%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 31, 2010
Putnam Global Sector Fund | Class T  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 2.50%
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 none
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 1.60% [5]
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 1.00%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 2.85%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (1.60%) [15]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.25%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 374
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 963
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,578
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 3,234
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.88% [7]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 10.02% [7]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.15% [7]
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 31, 2010
Putnam Global Sector 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 none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 1.60%
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 1.00%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 2.60%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (1.60%) [15]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.00%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 102
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 656
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,237
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 2,815
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 5.74%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 10.84%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.81%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 31, 2010
Putnam Global Sector Fund | after taxes on distributions | Class A  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (1.20%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 7.35%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 4.93%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 31, 2010
Putnam Global Sector Fund | after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares | Class A  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.23%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 7.19%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.07%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 31, 2010
Putnam Global Sector Fund | MSCI World 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 7.51%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 10.41%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.97%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 31, 2010
[1] Applies only to certain redemptions of shares bought with no initial sales charge.
[2] Management fees reflect a performance adjustment. The fund's base management fee is subject to adjustment, up or down, based on the fund's performance relative to the fund's target, which is the performance of the BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. Treasury Bill Index plus 100 basis points. The fund's base management fee prior to any performance adjustment was 0.40%.
[3] This charge is phased out over two years.
[4] This charge is eliminated after one year.
[5] Other expenses are based on expenses of class A shares for the fund's last fiscal year.
[6] Performance for class R6 shares prior to its inception (7/2/12) and class P shares prior to its inception (8/31/16) is derived from the historical performance of class Y shares and has not been adjusted for the lower investor servicing fees applicable to class R6 and class P shares; had it, returns would have been higher.
[7] Class T shares were not outstanding during the time periods shown. Performance shown for class T shares is derived from the historical performance of class A shares.
[8] Management fees reflect a performance adjustment. The fund's base management fee is subject to adjustment, up or down, based on the fund's performance relative to the fund's target, which is the performance of the BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. Treasury Bill Index plus 300 basis points. The fund's base management fee prior to any performance adjustment was 0.60%.
[9] Management fees reflect a performance adjustment. The fund's base management fee is subject to adjustment, up or down, based on the fund's performance relative to the fund's target, which is the performance of the BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. Treasury Bill Index plus 500 basis points. For the most recent fiscal year, the fund's base management fee prior to any performance adjustment was 0.723%.
[10] Reflects Putnam Investment Management, LLC's contractual obligation to limit certain fund expenses through 2/28/18. This obligation may be modified or discontinued only with approval of the Board of Trustees.
[11] This charge is phased out over six years.
[12] Other expenses are based on expenses of class A shares (adjusted for the lower investor servicing fees applicable to class P shares) for the fund's last fiscal year.
[13] Management fees reflect a performance adjustment. The fund's base management fee is subject to adjustment, up or down, based on the fund's performance relative to the fund's target, which is the performance of the BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. Treasury Bill Index plus 700 basis points. For the most recent fiscal year, the fund's base management fee prior to any performance adjustment was 0.876%.
[14] Restated to reflect current fees resulting from a change to the fund's investor servicing arrangements effective September 1, 2016.
[15] Reflects Putnam Investment Management, LLC's contractual obligation to limit certain fund expenses through February 28, 2018. This obligation may be modified or discontinued only with approval of the Board of Trustees.