Net Income Per Share (Computation Of Basic And Diluted Net Income Per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012	May 31, 2012	Feb. 28, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Aug. 31, 2011	May 31, 2011	Feb. 28, 2011	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Nov. 30, 2010
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to TIBCO Software Inc.	$ 48,788	$ 26,086	$ 26,492	$ 20,641	$ 51,878	$ 23,529	$ 21,046	$ 15,953	$ 122,007	$ 112,406	$ 78,088
Weighted-average shares of common stock used in computing basic net income per share (excluding unvested restricted stock)	160,115	159,308	160,437	161,460	161,586	161,876	161,911	160,503	160,330	161,469	160,959
Stock options									6,677	9,549	7,949
Stock awards									2,683	2,245	2,042
ESPP									8	9	3
Weighted-average shares of common stock used in computing diluted net income per share	169,284	169,165	169,477	170,866	171,978	172,957	174,666	173,486	169,698	173,272	170,953
Basic net income per share	$ 0.30	$ 0.16	$ 0.17	$ 0.13	$ 0.32	$ 0.15	$ 0.13	$ 0.10	$ 0.76	$ 0.70	$ 0.49
Diluted net income per share	$ 0.29	$ 0.15	$ 0.16	$ 0.12	$ 0.30	$ 0.14	$ 0.12	$ 0.09	$ 0.72	$ 0.65	$ 0.46