Document And Entity Information (USD $) In Billions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2012	Jan. 21, 2013	May 31, 2012
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Nov. 30, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	tibx
Entity Registrant Name	TIBCO SOFTWARE INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001085280
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--11-30
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		162,879,916
Entity Public Float			$ 3.3
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes