Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	May 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012	May 31, 2012	Feb. 28, 2012	Nov. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Total revenue	$ 315,455	$ 270,859	$ 245,846	$ 237,790	$ 296,527	$ 255,021	$ 247,363	$ 225,702	$ 1,069,950	$ 1,024,613	$ 920,246
Gross profit	233,591	192,886	171,875	164,153	220,938	182,772	178,476	159,612	762,505	741,798	672,871
Total operating expenses	166,135	155,677	150,982	145,294	147,886	139,620	141,117	135,459	618,088	564,082	518,444
Income from operations	67,456	37,209	20,893	18,859	73,052	43,152	37,359	24,153	144,417	177,716	154,427
Provision for income taxes	15,500	7,900	3,100	(100)	15,300	7,400	7,200	3,300	26,400	33,200	37,300
Net income attributable to TIBCO Software Inc.	$ 44,549	$ 21,251	$ 8,715	$ 9,505	$ 48,788	$ 26,086	$ 26,492	$ 20,641	$ 84,020	$ 122,007	$ 112,406
Basic (usd per share)	$ 0.28	$ 0.13	$ 0.05	$ 0.06	$ 0.30	$ 0.16	$ 0.17	$ 0.13	$ 0.52	$ 0.76	$ 0.70
Diluted (usd per share)	$ 0.27	$ 0.13	$ 0.05	$ 0.06	$ 0.29	$ 0.15	$ 0.16	$ 0.12	$ 0.50	$ 0.72	$ 0.65
Shares used in computing net income per share attributable to TIBCO Software Inc., Basic (in shares)	160,814	160,638	160,877	161,521	160,115	159,308	160,437	161,460	160,963	160,330	161,469
Shares used in computing net income per share attributable to TIBCO Software Inc., Diluted (in shares)	167,758	166,999	167,507	169,130	169,284	169,165	169,477	170,866	167,848	169,698	173,272