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		6 Months Ended
	May 31, 2013	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2013	May 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to TIBCO Software Inc.	$ 8,715	$ 26,492	$ 18,220	$ 47,133
Weighted-average shares of common stock used to compute basic net income per share (in shares)	160,877	160,437	161,199	160,949
Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents:
Stock options (in shares)	4,709	7,140	4,911	7,224
Stock awards (in shares)	1,921	1,879	2,203	1,989
ESPP (in shares)	0	21	7	11
Weighted-average shares of common stock used to compute diluted net income per share (in shares)	167,507	169,477	168,320	170,173
Net income per share attributable to TIBCO Software Inc.:
Basic (usd per share)	$ 0.05	$ 0.17	$ 0.11	$ 0.29
Diluted (usd per share)	$ 0.05	$ 0.16	$ 0.11	$ 0.28