<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2011-03-28</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001080224</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>EDGAR ONLINE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>edgr</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001514670</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Farrell Robert</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>EDGAR ONLINE, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>50 WASHINGTON STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NORWALK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06854</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President and CEO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Robert Farrell (by Lauren Zinman as Power of Attorney)</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2011-03-28</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
