TIBCO Software Inc. Stockholders' Equity (Summary Activity Of Stock Repurchase Programs) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Nov. 30, 2010
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Cash used for repurchases	$ 220,265	$ 194,059	$ 204,280
Average price per share	$ 28.96	$ 26.55	$ 13.54
Common Stock
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Shares repurchased	7,606	7,310	15,084

The cash outflow to reacquire common stock during the period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 20

-Subparagraph a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Financing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 18

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3291-108585

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