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Label Element Value
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Document Type dei_DocumentType 485BPOS
Document Period End Date dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate Dec. 31, 2018
Entity Registrant Name dei_EntityRegistrantName PUTNAM FUNDS TRUST
Entity Central Index Key dei_EntityCentralIndexKey 0001005942
Amendment Flag dei_AmendmentFlag false
Entity Inv Company Type dei_EntityInvCompanyType N-1A
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol PFT
Document Creation Date dei_DocumentCreationDate Feb. 27, 2019
Document Effective Date dei_DocumentEffectiveDate Feb. 28, 2019
Prospectus Date rr_ProspectusDate Feb. 28, 2019
Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Fund summary
Footnote PFT_FootnotetText *Prior to April 30, 2018, the fund was known as Putnam Absolute Return 300 Fund.
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Goal
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund seeks positive total return.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in 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 18 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 532%.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 532.00%
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text] rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in 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 18 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 $ 100,000
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, risks, and performance
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock Investments
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.

Under normal circumstances, the fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in fixed-income securities (fixed-income securities include any debt instrument, and may be represented by other investment instruments, including derivatives). This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. 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.
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 investments in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including general economic, political or financial market conditions, investor sentiment and market perceptions, government actions, geopolitical events or changes, and factors related to a specific issuer, geography, industry or sector. 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), and may be or become illiquid. Our use of derivatives may increase the risks of investing in the fund 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. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund's performance year to year and over time.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress putnam.com
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock Best calendar quarter
Q1 2012  3.36%

Worst calender 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 ended 12/31/18)
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.

ICE BofAML Indexes: ICE Data Indices, LLC (“ICE BofAML”), used with permission. ICE BofAML permits use of the ICE BofAML indices and related data on an “as is” basis; makes no warranties regarding same; does not guarantee the suitability, quality, accuracy, timeliness, and/or completeness of the ICE BofAML indices or any data included in, related to, or derived therefrom; assumes no liability in connection with the use of the foregoing; and does not sponsor, endorse, or recommend Putnam Investments, or any of its products or services.

ICE BofAML U.S. Treasury Bill Index tracks the performance of U.S. dollar denominated U.S. Treasury bills, which represent obligations of the U.S. Government having a maturity of one year or less, and is intended as an approximate measure of the rate of inflation. ICE BofAML U.S. Treasury Bill Index +3.00% is the benchmark and hurdle rate for the performance adjustment component of the fund’s management fee.

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 Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund | ICE BofAML U.S. Treasury Bill Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.88%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.64%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 0.40%
Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund | ICE BofAML U.S. Treasury Bill Index plus 300 basis points (no deduction for fees, expense or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 4.88%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.64%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.40%
Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund | Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.01%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.52%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.48%
Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund | S&P 500 Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.38%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 8.49%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 13.12%
Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund | Class A  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 2.25%
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 0.54% [2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.01%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.80%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 305
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 475
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 659
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,193
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 8.23%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 3.10%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (4.374%)
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%
Annual Return 2017 rr_AnnualReturn2017 5.24%
Annual Return 2018 rr_AnnualReturn2018 0.66%
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (1.61%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.02%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 2.15%
Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund | Class B  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
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 0.54% [2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.45%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.01%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.00%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 202
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 318
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 552
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,168
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 102
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 318
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 552
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,168
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (0.48%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.27%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 2.17%
Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund | Class C  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
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 0.54% [2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.01%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.55%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 258
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 490
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 845
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,845
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 158
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 490
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 845
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,845
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (1.09%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.71%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 1.62%
Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund | Class M  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
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 0.54% [2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.30%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.01%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.85%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 161
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 344
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 543
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,116
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (0.23%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.26%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 2.23%
Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund | Class P  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
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 0.54% [2]
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.01%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.55%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 56
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 176
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 307
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 689
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes [5]
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.90% [5]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.74% [5]
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 2.64% [5]
Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund | Class R  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
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 0.54% [2]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.50%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.01%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.05%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 107
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 334
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 579
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,283
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.34%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.21%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 2.12%
Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund | Class R6  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
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 0.54% [2]
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.01%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.55%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 56
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 176
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 307
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 689
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes [5]
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.90% [5]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.74% [5]
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 2.65% [5]
Putnam Fixed Income Absolute Return Fund | Class Y  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
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 0.54% [2]
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.01%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.55%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 56
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 176
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 307
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 689
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.90%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.72%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 2.63%
Putnam Global Sector Fund  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
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 20 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, 2020
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 42%.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 42.00%
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 20 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, risks, and performance
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock Investments
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 (other than Putnam Global Financials Fund, which currently operates as a 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 Communications Fund — Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of this underlying fund’s net assets in securities of companies in the communication industries. This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders.
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 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 12/31/18:

Underlying fund Approximate allocation as of 12/31/18
Putnam Global Financials Fund 19.45%
Putnam Global Consumer Fund 18.66%
Putnam Global Technology Fund 14.82%
Putnam Global Health Care Fund 13.42%
Putnam Global Industrials Fund 10.82%
Putnam Global Natural Resources Fund 10.60%
Putnam Global Communications Fund 8.29%
Putnam Global Utilities Fund 3.53%

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 investments in an underlying fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including general economic, political or financial market conditions, investor sentiment and market perceptions, government actions, geopolitical events or changes, and factors related to a specific issuer, geography, industry or sector. 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), and may be illiquid. An underlying fund’s use of derivatives may increase the risk of investing in the fund 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 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
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges
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 ended 12/31/18)
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.
Putnam Global Sector Fund | MSCI World Index (ND) (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes, other than withholding taxes on reinvested dividends)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (8.71%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.56%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.45%
Putnam Global Sector Fund | Class A  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
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 0.47%
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.99%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.71%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.47%) [6]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.24%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 694
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 1,040
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,408
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 2,441
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%
Annual Return 2017 rr_AnnualReturn2017 23.07%
Annual Return 2018 rr_AnnualReturn2018 (10.95%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (16.07%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.33%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.17%
Putnam Global Sector Fund | Class B  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
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% [3]
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets none
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.47%
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.99%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 2.46%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.47%) [6]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.99%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 702
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 1,022
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,468
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,575
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 202
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 722
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,268
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 2,575
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (15.76%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.50%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.15%
Putnam Global Sector Fund | Class C  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
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 0.47%
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.99%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 2.46%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.47%) [6]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.99%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 302
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 722
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,268
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,761
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 202
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 722
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,268
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 2,761
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (12.50%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.78%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.09%
Putnam Global Sector Fund | Class M  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
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 0.47%
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.99%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 2.21%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.47%) [6]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.74%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 521
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 973
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,452
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 2,770
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (14.56%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.29%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.92%
Putnam Global Sector Fund | Class R  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
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 0.47%
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.99%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.96%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.47%) [6]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.49%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 152
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 570
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,014
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 2,247
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (11.24%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.28%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.62%
Putnam Global Sector Fund | Class Y  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
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 0.47%
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.99%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.46%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.47%) [6]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.99%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 101
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 416
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 753
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,706
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (10.80%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.81%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.15%
Putnam Multi-Asset Absolute Return Fund  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Fund summary
Footnote PFT_FootnotetText *Prior to April 30, 2018, the fund was known as Putnam Absolute Return 700 Fund.
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Goal
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock Putnam Multi-Asset Absolute Return Fund seeks positive total return.
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 22 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, 2020
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 479%.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 479.00%
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 22 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, risks, and performance
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock Investments
The fund seeks a positive total return. In pursuing a positive total return, the fund’s strategies are 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. The Fund aims to accomplish this objective by combining “directional” strategies and “non-directional” strategies. The directional strategies seek efficient, diversified exposure to investment markets. They also seek to balance risk and 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 non-directional strategies aim to provide positive returns that have minimal correlation with traditional asset classes, such as equities or equity-like investments. The non-directional strategies are generally implemented using paired long and short positions in an effort to capitalize on long-term market inefficiencies and short-term opportunities. The non-directional strategies may involve the use of active trading strategies, currency transactions and options transactions.

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.
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 investments in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including general economic, political or financial market conditions, investor sentiment and market perceptions, government actions, geopolitical events or changes, and factors related to a specific issuer, asset class, geography, industry or sector. 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), and may be or become illiquid. Our non-directional strategies may lose money or not earn a return sufficient to cover associated trading and other costs. Our use of leverage obtained through derivatives increases the risk of investing in the fund 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. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. The bar chart does not reflect the impact of sales charges. If it did, performance would be lower. Please remember that past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. Monthly performance figures for the fund are available at putnam.com.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund's performance year to year and over time.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress putnam.com
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock Best calendar quarter
Q1 2012 6.07%

Worst calendar quarter
Q4 2018 −5.98%
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 Dec. 31, 2018
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (5.98%)
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average annual total returns after sales charges (for periods ended 12/31/18)
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 individual retirement account (IRA), or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

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

ICE BofAML Indexes: ICE Data Indices, LLC (“ICE BofAML”), used with permission. ICE BofAML permits use of the ICE BofAML indices and related data on an “as is” basis; makes no warranties regarding same; does not guarantee the suitability, quality, accuracy, timeliness, and/or completeness of the ICE BofAML indices or any data included in, related to, or derived therefrom; assumes no liability in connection with the use of the foregoing; and does not sponsor, endorse, or recommend Putnam Investments, or any of its products or services.

ICE BofAML U.S. Treasury Bill Index tracks the performance of U.S. dollar denominated U.S. Treasury bills, which represent obligations of the U.S. Government having a maturity of one year or less, and is intended as an approximate measure of the rate of inflation. ICE BofAML U.S. Treasury Bill Index +5.00% is the benchmark and hurdle rate for the performance adjustment component of the fund’s management fee.

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 Multi-Asset Absolute Return Fund | ICE BofAML U.S. Treasury Bill Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.88%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.64%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 0.40%
Putnam Multi-Asset Absolute Return Fund | ICE BofAML U.S. Treasury Bill Index plus 500 basis points (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 6.88%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 5.64%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.40%
Putnam Multi-Asset Absolute Return Fund | Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.01%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.52%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.48%
Putnam Multi-Asset Absolute Return Fund | S&P 500 Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.38%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 8.49%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 13.12%
Putnam Multi-Asset Absolute Return Fund | Class A  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
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 0.52% [7]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.23% [8]
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.04%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.04%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.03%) [6]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.01%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 672
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 884
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,113
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,770
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%
Annual Return 2017 rr_AnnualReturn2017 9.74%
Annual Return 2018 rr_AnnualReturn2018 (9.21%)
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (14.43%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.10%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.17%
Putnam Multi-Asset Absolute Return Fund | Class B  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
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% [9]
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.52% [7]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.23% [8]
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.04%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.79%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.03%) [6]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.76%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 679
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 860
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,167
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,905
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 179
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 560
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 967
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,905
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (14.32%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.20%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.15%
Putnam Multi-Asset Absolute Return Fund | Class C  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
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 0.52% [7]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.23% [8]
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.04%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.79%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.03%) [6]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.76%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 279
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 560
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 967
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,103
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 179
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 560
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 967
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 2,103
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (10.79%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.54%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.00%
Putnam Multi-Asset Absolute Return Fund | Class M  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
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 0.52% [7]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.75%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.23% [8]
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.04%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.54%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.03%) [6]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.51%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 498
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 817
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,157
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 2,118
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (12.91%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.07%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 2.86%
Putnam Multi-Asset Absolute Return Fund | Class P  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
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 0.52% [7]
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.09% [8]
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.04%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.65%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.03%) [6]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.62%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 63
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 205
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 359
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 808
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes [10]
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (8.88%) [10]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.61% [10]
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.05% [10]
Putnam Multi-Asset Absolute Return Fund | Class R  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
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 0.52% [7]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.50%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.23% [8]
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.04%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.29%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.03%) [6]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.26%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 128
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 406
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 705
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,554
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (9.51%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.03%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.48%
Putnam Multi-Asset Absolute Return Fund | Class R6  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
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 0.52% [7]
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.13% [8]
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.04%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.69%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.03%) [6]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.66%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 67
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 218
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 381
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 856
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes [10]
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (8.97%) [10]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.63% [10]
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.08% [10]
Putnam Multi-Asset Absolute Return Fund | Class Y  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
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 0.52% [7]
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.23% [8]
Acquired fund fees and expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.04%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.79%
Expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.03%) [6]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.76%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 78
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 249
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 436
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 975
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (9.04%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.55%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.02%
Putnam Short Duration Bond Fund  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Fund summary
Footnote PFT_FootnotetText *Prior to June 1, 2018, the fund was known as Putnam Absolute Return 100 Fund.
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Goal
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock Putnam Short Duration Bond Fund seeks as high a rate of current income as Putnam Investment Management, LLC (Putnam Management) believes is consistent with preservation of capital.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in 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 17 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 386%.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 386.00%
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text] rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in 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 17 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 $ 100,000
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, risks, and performance
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock Investments
We invest in a diversified portfolio of fixed income securities. The fund’s investments may include corporate credit, including investment-grade debt, below-investment-grade debt (sometimes referred to as “junk bonds”), bank loans and structured credit; sovereign debt, including obligations of governments in developed and emerging markets; and securitized assets, including 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.

Under normal circumstances, the fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in bonds (bonds include any debt instrument, and may be represented by other investment instruments, including derivatives). This policy may be changed only after 60 days’ notice to shareholders. We normally maintain an effective duration of three years or less. Effective duration provides a measure of a fund’s interest-rate sensitivity. The longer a fund’s duration, the more sensitive the fund is to shifts in interest rates.

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 may also use derivatives, such as futures, options, certain foreign currency transactions and swap contracts, for both hedging and non-hedging purposes.

We may invest in securities that are purchased in private placements, which may be illiquid because they are subject to restrictions on resale.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund.

The effects of inflation may erode the value of your investment over time. The value of investments in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including general economic, political or financial market conditions, investor sentiment and market perceptions, government actions, geopolitical events or changes, and factors related to a specific issuer, geography, industry or sector. These and other factors may lead to increased volatility and reduced liquidity in the fund’s portfolio holdings.

The risks associated with fixed income investments include interest rate risk, which means the value of the fund’s investments is likely to fall if interest rates rise. Fixed income investments are also subject to credit risk, which is the risk that the issuer of a fixed income investment 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- and asset-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 fund’s investments in mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities, and in certain other securities and derivatives, may be or become illiquid.

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

The fund may not achieve its goal, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney It is important to understand that you can lose money by investing in the fund
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock The performance information below gives some indication of the risks associated with an investment in the fund by showing the fund’s performance year to year and over time. Before June 1, 2018, the fund was managed with a materially different investment strategy and may have achieved materially different performance results under its current investment strategy from that shown for periods before this date. 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
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Annual total returns for class A shares before sales charges
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock Best calendar quarter
Q1 2012  1.71%

Worst calender 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 ended 12/31/18)
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 Footnotes, Reason Performance Information for Class Different from Immediately Preceding Period [Text] rr_PerformanceTableFootnotesReasonPerformanceInformationForClassDifferentFromImmediatelyPrecedingPeriod As of June 1, 2018, the ICE BofAML 1-3 Year U.S. Corporate Index replaced the ICE BofAML U.S. Treasury Bill Index and the ICE BofAML U.S. Treasury Bill Index plus 100 basis points as the primary benchmark for this fund because in Putnam Management's opinion, the securities tracked by this index more accurately reflect the types of securities that generally will be held by the fund
Performance Table Closing [Text Block] rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock ICE BofAML Indexes: ICE Data Indices, LLC (“ICE BofAML”), used with permission. ICE BofAML permits use of the ICE BofAML indices and related data on an “as is” basis; makes no warranties regarding same; does not guarantee the suitability, quality, accuracy, timeliness, and/or completeness of the ICE BofAML indices or any data included in, related to, or derived therefrom; assumes no liability in connection with the use of the foregoing; and does not sponsor, endorse, or recommend Putnam Investments, or any of its products or services.

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 individual retirement account (IRA), or another tax-advantaged arrangement.

Class B share performance reflects conversion to class A shares after eight years.
Putnam Short Duration Bond Fund | ICE BofAML 1-3 Year U.S. Corporate Index (no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.62% [11]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.62% [11]
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.50% [11]
Putnam Short Duration Bond Fund | ICE BofAML U.S. Treasury Bill - ICE BofAML 1-3 Year U.S. Corporate Linked Benchmark  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.17% [12]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.70% [12]
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 0.43% [12]
Putnam Short Duration Bond Fund | Class A  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 2.25%
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%
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 $ 288
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 422
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 568
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 994
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%
Annual Return 2017 rr_AnnualReturn2017 3.10%
Annual Return 2018 rr_AnnualReturn2018 1.97%
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (0.33%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.03%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 1.29%
Putnam Short Duration Bond Fund | Class B  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
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%
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
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.81%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.31%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 1.30%
Putnam Short Duration Bond Fund | Class C  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
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%
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
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.31%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.76%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 0.77%
Putnam Short Duration Bond Fund | Class M  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
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%
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
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.17%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.30%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 1.39%
Putnam Short Duration Bond Fund | Class R  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
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%
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
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.69%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.24%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 1.26%
Putnam Short Duration Bond Fund | Class R6  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
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%
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
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes [13]
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.22% [13]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.76% [13]
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 1.78% [13]
Putnam Short Duration Bond Fund | Class Y  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
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%
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
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel before taxes
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.23%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.76%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 1.78%
[1] Applies only to certain redemptions of shares bought with no initial sales charge.
[2] Management fees are subject to 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 performance of the ICE BofAML U.S. Treasury Bill Index plus 300 basis points. The fund's management fee prior to any performance adjustment was 0.60%.
[3] This charge is phased out over two years.
[4] This charge is eliminated after one year.
[5] Performance for class R6 shares prior to its inception (7/2/12) and for class P shares prior to their inception (8/31/16) is derived from the historical performance of class Y shares.
[6] Reflects Putnam Investment Management, LLC's contractual obligation to limit certain fund expenses through February 28, 2020. This obligation may be modified or discontinued only with approval of the Board of Trustees.
[7] 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 performance of the ICE BofAML U.S. Treasury Bill Index plus 500 basis points.
[8] Restated to reflect current fees.
[9] This charge is phased out over six years.
[10] Performance for class R6 shares prior to their inception (7/2/12) and for class P shares prior to their 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.
[11] As of June 1, 2018, the ICE BofAML 1-3 Year U.S. Corporate Index replaced the ICE BofAML U.S. Treasury Bill Index and the ICE BofAML U.S. Treasury Bill Index plus 100 basis points as the primary benchmark for this fund because in Putnam Management's opinion, the securities tracked by this index more accurately reflect the types of securities that generally will be held by the fund. The average annual total returns of the ICE BofAML U.S. Treasury Bill Index for the one-year, five-year and life of fund periods ended December 31, 2018 were 1.88%, 0.64% and 0.40%, respectively. The average annual total returns of the ICE BofAML U.S. Treasury Bill Index plus 100 basis points for the one-year, five-year and life of fund periods ended December 31, 2018 were 2.88%, 1.64% and 1.40%, respectively.
[12] The ICE BofAML U.S. Treasury Bill-ICE BofAML 1-3 Year U.S. Corporate Linked Benchmark represents performance of the ICE BofAML U.S. Treasury Bill Index from the inception date of the fund, December 23, 2008, through May 31, 2018, and performance of the ICE BofAML 1-3 Year U.S. Corporate Index from June 1, 2018, and thereafter.
[13] Performance for class R6 shares prior to their inception (7/2/12) is derived from the historical performance of class Y shares.