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, 2011	Aug. 31, 2011	May 31, 2011	Feb. 28, 2011	Nov. 30, 2010	Aug. 31, 2010	May 31, 2010	Feb. 28, 2010	Nov. 30, 2011	Nov. 30, 2010	Nov. 30, 2009
Net Income Per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to TIBCO Software Inc.	$ 51,878	$ 23,529	$ 21,046	$ 15,953	$ 37,494	$ 17,355	$ 12,814	$ 10,425	$ 112,406	$ 78,088	$ 62,302
Weighted-average shares of common stock used in computing basic net income per share (excluding unvested restricted stock)	161,586	161,876	161,911	160,503	160,013	160,238	160,992	162,593	161,469	160,959	168,970
Stock options									9,558	7,952	2,548
Stock awards									2,245	2,042	810
Weighted-average shares of common stock used in computing diluted net income per share	171,978	172,957	174,666	173,486	172,899	171,192	169,975	169,745	173,272	170,953	172,328
Basic net income per share	$ 0.32	$ 0.15	$ 0.13	$ 0.10	$ 0.23	$ 0.11	$ 0.08	$ 0.06	$ 0.70	$ 0.49	$ 0.37
Diluted net income per share	$ 0.30	$ 0.14	$ 0.12	$ 0.09	$ 0.22	$ 0.10	$ 0.08	$ 0.06	$ 0.65	$ 0.46	$ 0.36