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Label Element Value
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Fund Summary
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

The fund seeks total return (consisting of capital appreciation and income).

Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in certain funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in the Shareholder Guide section on page 9 of the Prospectus and in the How to Buy Shares section and the Additional Information About How to Buy Shares section on page II-1 and page III-1, respectively, of the fund's Statement of Additional Information.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesCaption Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination 2014-03-01
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund's portfolio turnover rate was 21.89% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 21.89%
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text] rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in certain funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount] rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount $ 50,000
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

The Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund's operating expenses remain the same. The one-year example and the first year of the three-, five- and ten-years examples are based on net operating expenses, which reflect the expense waiver/reimbursement by The Dreyfus Corporation. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearCaption You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategy
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

To pursue its goal, the fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities. The fund seeks to focus on dividend-paying stocks of companies located in the developed capital markets, such as the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong and Western Europe. The fund may, however, invest up to 30% of its assets in emerging markets. The fund ordinarily invests in at least three countries, and, at times, may invest a substantial portion of its assets in a single country. The fund's portfolio managers typically will purchase stocks that, at the time of purchase, have a yield premium to the yield of the FTSE World Index.


The portfolio managers will combine a top-down approach, emphasizing economic trends and current investment themes on a global basis, with a bottom-up stock selection, based on fundamental research. In choosing stocks, the portfolio managers consider key trends in global economic variables; investment themes; relative values of equity securities, bonds and cash; company fundamentals; and long-term trends in currency movements.


The portfolio managers may seek to manage currency risk by hedging all or a portion of the fund's currency exposure and, in their discretion, may employ certain techniques designed to alter the fund's foreign currency exposure. Generally, this involves buying options, futures or forward contracts relating to foreign currencies.

Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit. It is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency. It is not a complete investment program. The fund's share price fluctuates, sometimes dramatically, which means you could lose money.


· Risks of stock investing. Stocks generally fluctuate more in value than bonds and may decline significantly over short time periods. There is the chance that stock prices overall will decline because stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and falling prices. The market value of a stock may decline due to general weakness in the stock market or because of factors that affect the company or its particular industry.


· Foreign investment risk. To the extent the fund invests in foreign securities, the fund's performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting investments in foreign companies. Special risks associated with investments in foreign issuers include exposure to currency fluctuations, less liquidity, less developed or less efficient trading markets, lack of comprehensive company information, political and economic instability and differing auditing and legal standards. Investments denominated in foreign currencies are subject to the risk that such currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and affect the value of these investments held by the fund. To the extent the fund's investment are concentrated in one or a limited number of foreign countries, the fund's performance could be more volatile than that of more geographically diversified funds.


· Emerging market risk. The securities of issuers located in emerging markets tend to be more volatile and less liquid than securities of issuers located in more mature economies, and emerging markets generally have less diverse and less mature economic structures and less stable political systems than those of developed countries. The securities of issuers located or doing substantial business in emerging markets are often subject to rapid and large changes in price.


· Foreign currency risk. Investments in foreign currencies are subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar or, in the case of hedged positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline relative to the currency being hedged. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. Foreign currencies are also subject to risks caused by inflation, interest rates, budget deficits and low savings rates, political factors and government intervention and controls.


· Market sector risk. The fund may significantly overweight or underweight certain companies, industries or market sectors, which may cause the fund's performance to be more or less sensitive to developments affecting those companies, industries or sectors.


· Derivatives risk. A small investment in derivatives could have a potentially large impact on the fund's performance. The use of derivatives involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the underlying assets. Derivatives can be highly volatile, illiquid and difficult to value.


· Liquidity risk. When there is little or no active trading market for a security, the fund may not be able to sell the security in a timely manner at its perceived value, which could cause the fund's share price to fall. Investments in foreign securities, particularly those of issuers located in emerging markets, tend to have greater exposure to liquidity risk than domestic securities.

Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney The fund's share price fluctuates, sometimes dramatically, which means you could lose money.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution It is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. The bar chart shows changes in the performance of the fund's Class A shares from year to year. The table compares the average annual total returns of the fund's shares to those of a broad measure of market performance. The fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. Sales charges, if any, are not reflected in the bar chart, and if those charges were included, returns would have been less than those shown. More recent performance information may be available at www.dreyfus.com.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.dreyfus.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Year-by-Year Total Returns as of 12/31 each year (%) -- Class A Shares
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Sales charges, if any, are not reflected in the bar chart, and if those charges were included, returns would have been less than those shown.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter
Q2, 2009: 18.77%


Worst Quarter
Q3, 2008: -20.77%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 18.77%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (20.77%)
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text] rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates, and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown, and the after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text] rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown After-tax performance is shown only for Class A shares. After-tax performance of the fund's other share classes will vary.
Performance Table Narrative rr_PerformanceTableNarrativeTextBlock

After-tax performance is shown only for Class A shares. After-tax performance of the fund's other share classes will vary. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates, and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown, and the after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.

Caption rr_AverageAnnualReturnCaption Average Annual Total Returns (as of 12/31/12) Share Class (Inception Date)
FTSE World Index reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 16.96%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (0.42%)
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (1.46%) [1]
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Oct. 31, 2007
Class A
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 5.75%
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of lower of purchase or sale price) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none [2]
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.85%
Distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses (including shareholder services fees) rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.70%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.55%
Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.20%) [3]
Total annual fund operating expenses (after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.35%
Expenses Deferred Charges [Text Block] rr_ExpensesDeferredChargesTextBlock Class A shares bought without an initial sales charge as part of an investment of $1 million or more may be charged a deferred sales charge of 1.00% if redeemed within one year.
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 705
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 1,018
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,353
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,298
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 705
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 1,018
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,353
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 2,298
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (37.86%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 30.64%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 9.90%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 2.14%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 15.43%
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 8.83%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (0.17%)
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 0.07%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Oct. 18, 2007
Class A | After Taxes on Distributions
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 8.38%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (0.52%)
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (0.27%)
Class A | After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 6.46%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (0.05%)
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 0.15%
Class C
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of lower of purchase or sale price) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther 1.00%
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.85%
Distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.75%
Other expenses (including shareholder services fees) rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.69%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 2.29%
Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.19%) [3]
Total annual fund operating expenses (after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 2.10%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 313
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 697
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,208
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,611
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 213
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 697
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,208
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 2,611
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 13.51%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.27%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 0.46%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Oct. 18, 2007
Class I
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of lower of purchase or sale price) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.85%
Distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses (including shareholder services fees) rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.43%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.28%
Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.18%) [3]
Total annual fund operating expenses (after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.10%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 112
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 388
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 685
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,529
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 112
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 388
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 685
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,529
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 15.71%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.32%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 1.52%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Oct. 18, 2007
[1] For comparative purposes, the value of the FTSE World Index on 10/31/07 is used as the beginning value on 10/18/07.
[2] Class A shares bought without an initial sales charge as part of an investment of $1 million or more may be charged a deferred sales charge of 1.00% if redeemed within one year.
[3] The Dreyfus Corporation has contractually agreed, until at least March 1, 2014, to waive receipt of its fees and/or assume the expenses of the fund so that the direct expenses of none of the classes (excluding Rule 12b-1 fees, shareholder services fees, taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, commitment fees and extraordinary expenses) exceed 1.10%. On or after March 1, 2014, The Dreyfus Corporation may terminate the expense limitation at any time.