Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2011	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2011
Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Line Items]
Net income attributable to TIBCO Software Inc.	$ 26,492	$ 21,046	$ 47,133	$ 36,999
Weighted-average shares of common stock used to compute basic net income per share	160,437	161,911	160,949	161,207
Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents:
Stock options	7,140	10,197	7,224	10,226
Stock awards	1,879	2,558	1,989	2,643
ESPP	21		11
Weighted-average shares of common stock used to compute diluted net income per share	169,477	174,666	170,173	174,076
Net income per share attributable to TIBCO Software Inc.:
Basic	$ 0.17	$ 0.13	$ 0.29	$ 0.23
Diluted	$ 0.16	$ 0.12	$ 0.28	$ 0.21