BUSINESS COMBINATIONS - Pro Forma Adjusted Summary (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Pro forma adjusted total revenue	$ 255,602	$ 287,088	$ 775,341	$ 810,039
Pro forma adjusted net income attributable to TIBCO Software Inc.	$ 2,632	$ 16,193	$ 13,492	$ 29,254
Pro forma adjusted net income per share attributable to TIBCO Software Inc.:
Basic (usd per share)	$ 0.02	$ 0.10	$ 0.08	$ 0.18
Diluted (usd per share)	$ 0.02	$ 0.10	$ 0.08	$ 0.17

Name:	tibx_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaEarningsPerShareAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	tibx_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The pro forma basic net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (h)(2)-(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25497992&loc=d3e1392-128463

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaEarningsPerShareBasic
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The pro forma diluted net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaEarningsPerShareDiluted
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The pro forma net Income or Loss for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaNetIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The pro forma revenue for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of the period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration