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Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Global Strategist Portfolio
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

The Global Strategist Portfolio (the "Portfolio") seeks above-average total return over a market cycle of three to five years.

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

The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Class C shares of the Portfolio.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesCaption Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolio's portfolio turnover rate was 62% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 62.00%rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate
Expenses Deferred Charges [Text Block] rr_ExpensesDeferredChargesTextBlock The Class C contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") is only applicable if you sell your shares within one year after purchase. See "Shareholder Information" for a complete discussion of the CDSC.
Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text] rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates Other expenses have been estimated for the current fiscal year.
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

The example below is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.


The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio, your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio's operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearCaption If You SOLD Your Shares:
Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearCaption If You HELD Your Shares:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

The Adviser seeks to achieve the Portfolio's investment objective by investing primarily in a blend of equity and fixed income securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers. Equity securities may include common and preferred stocks, depositary receipts, convertible securities, equity-linked securities, real estate investment trusts ("REITs"), rights and warrants to purchase equity securities and limited partnership interests. Fixed income securities may include mortgage-related or mortgage-backed securities, floating rate securities, inflation-linked fixed income securities, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, securities issued or guaranteed by non-U.S. governments, their agencies or instrumentalities, corporate bonds and notes issued by U.S. and non-U.S. entities.


The Adviser will utilize a top-down investment approach that focuses on asset class, sector, region, country and currency and thematic allocations. The Portfolio's allocations will be based upon the Adviser's evaluations and analyses, taking into account results of its fundamental market research and recommendations generated by the Adviser's quantitative models. The Adviser's research process focuses on the following factors across asset classes: 1) valuation (both relative and absolute), 2) dynamics, including earnings revisions, interest rate policy and inflation expectations and 3) technicals, such as investor flows and sentiment. The Portfolio may invest in any country, including developing or emerging market countries. The Portfolio's investments may be U.S. and non-U.S. dollar denominated. In determining whether to sell a security, the Adviser considers a number of factors, including changes in capital appreciation potential, or the overall assessment of asset class, sector, region, country, and currency and thematic allocation shifts.


The Portfolio may invest a portion of its assets in below investment grade fixed income securities. The Portfolio may also invest in restricted and illiquid securities. The mortgage-backed securities in which the Portfolio may invest include mortgage pass-through securities which represent a participation interest in a pool of mortgage loans originated by U.S. governmental or private lenders such as banks.


The Portfolio may, but it is not required to, use derivative instruments for a variety of purposes, including hedging, risk management, portfolio management or to earn income. The Portfolio's use of derivatives may involve the purchase and sale of derivative instruments such as futures, options, swaps and structured investments (including commodity-linked notes), and other related instruments and techniques. The Portfolio may utilize foreign currency forward exchange contracts, which are also derivatives, in connection with its investments in foreign securities. Derivative instruments used by the Portfolio will be counted toward the Portfolio's exposure to the types of securities listed above to the extent they have economic characteristics similar to such securities.

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

There is no assurance that the Portfolio will achieve its investment objective and you can lose money investing in this Portfolio. The principal risks of investing in the Portfolio include:


•  Equity Securities. In general, prices of equity securities are more volatile than those of fixed income securities. The prices of equity securities fluctuate, and sometimes widely fluctuate, in response to activities specific to the issuer of the security as well as factors unrelated to the fundamental condition of the issuer, including general market, economic and political conditions. To the extent that the Portfolio invests in convertible securities, and the convertible security's investment value is greater than its conversion value, its price will be likely to increase when interest rates fall and decrease when interest rates rise. If the conversion value exceeds the investment value, the price of the convertible security will tend to fluctuate directly with the price of the underlying security.


•  Fixed Income Securities. Fixed income securities are subject to the risk of the issuer's inability to meet principal and interest payments on its obligations (i.e., credit risk) and are subject to price volatility resulting from, among other things, interest rate sensitivity, market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity (i.e., market risk). The historically low interest rate environment increases the risk associated with rising interest rates, including the potential for periods of volatility and increased redemptions. The Portfolio may face a heightened level of interest rate risk, especially since the Federal Reserve Board has ended its quantitative easing program and may begin to raise rates. Securities with longer durations are likely to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, generally making them more volatile than securities with shorter durations. Lower rated fixed income securities have greater volatility because there is less certainty that principal and interest payments will be made as scheduled. A portion of the Portfolio's fixed income securities may be rated below investment grade.


•  High Yield Securities ("Junk Bonds"). The Portfolio's investments in high yield securities expose it to a substantial degree of credit risk. High yield securities may be issued by companies that are restructuring, are smaller and less creditworthy or are more highly indebted than other companies, and therefore they may have more difficulty making scheduled payments of principal and interest. High yield securities may experience reduced liquidity, and sudden and substantial decreases in price. An economic downturn affecting an issuer of high yield securities may result in an increased incidence of default. In the event of a default, the Portfolio may incur additional expenses to seek recovery.


•  Mortgage Securities. Investments in mortgage securities are subject to the risk that if interest rates decline, borrowers may pay off their mortgages sooner than expected which may adversely affect the Portfolio's return. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of mortgage securities will increase and market price will decrease. Rates of prepayment, faster or slower than expected by the Adviser, could reduce the Portfolio's yield, increase the volatility of the Portfolio and/or cause a decline in NAV. Certain mortgage-backed securities may be more volatile and less liquid than other traditional types of debt securities. In addition, an unexpectedly high rate of defaults on the mortgages held by a mortgage pool may adversely affect the value of a mortgage-backed security and could result in losses to the Portfolio. The risk of such defaults is generally higher in the case of mortgage pools that include subprime mortgages.


•  REITs. Investing in REITs exposes investors to the risks of owning real estate directly, as well as to risks that relate specifically to the way in which REITs are organized and operated. Operating REITs requires specialized management skills and the Portfolio indirectly bears management expenses along with the direct expenses of the Portfolio. REITs are also subject to certain provisions under federal tax law and the failure of a company to qualify as a REIT could have adverse consequences for the Portfolio.


•  Foreign and Emerging Market Securities. Investments in foreign markets entail special risks such as currency, political, economic and market risks. There also may be greater market volatility, less reliable financial information, higher transaction and custody costs, decreased market liquidity and less government and exchange regulation associated with investments in foreign markets. In addition, investments in certain foreign markets, which have historically been considered stable, may become more volatile and subject to increased risk due to ongoing developments and changing conditions in such markets. Moreover, the growing interconnectivity of global economies and financial markets has increased the probability that adverse developments and conditions in one country or region will affect the stability of economies and financial markets in other countries or regions. The risks of investing in emerging market countries are greater than risks associated with investments in foreign developed countries. In addition, the Portfolio's investments in foreign issuers may be denominated in foreign currencies and therefore, to the extent unhedged, the value of the investment will fluctuate with the U.S. dollar exchange rates. To the extent hedged by the use of foreign currency forward exchange contracts, the precise matching of the foreign currency forward exchange contract amounts and the value of the securities involved will not generally be possible because the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value of those securities between the date on which the contract is entered into and the date it matures. There is additional risk that such transactions reduce or preclude the opportunity for gain if the value of the currency should move in the direction opposite to the position taken and that foreign currency forward exchange contracts create exposure to currencies in which the Portfolio's securities are not denominated. The use of foreign currency forward exchange contracts involves the risk of loss from the insolvency or bankruptcy of the counterparty to the contract or the failure of the counterparty to make payments or otherwise comply with the terms of the contract.


•  U.S. Government Securities. The U.S. government securities in which the Portfolio invests can be subject to two types of risk: credit risk and interest rate risk. When the general level of interest rates goes up, the prices of most fixed-income securities go down. When the general level of interest rates goes down, the prices of most fixed-income securities go up. While the credit risk associated with U.S. government securities generally is considered to be minimal, the interest rate risk can be substantial. With respect to U.S. government securities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, there is the risk that the U.S. Government will not provide financial support to such U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law.


•  Liquidity. The Portfolio's investments in restricted and illiquid securities may entail greater risk than investments in publicly traded securities. These securities may be more difficult to sell, particularly in times of market turmoil. Additionally, the market for certain investments deemed liquid at the time of purchase may become illiquid under adverse market or economic conditions. Illiquid securities may be more difficult to value. If the Portfolio is forced to sell an illiquid security to fund redemptions or for other cash needs, it may be forced to sell the security at a loss.


•  Derivatives. A derivative instrument often has risks similar to its underlying asset and may have additional risks, including imperfect correlation between the value of the derivative and the underlying asset, risks of default by the counterparty to certain transactions, magnification of losses incurred due to changes in the market value of the securities, instruments, indices or interest rates to which they relate and risks that the transactions may not be liquid. Certain derivative transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. Leverage magnifies the potential for gain and the risk of loss.


Shares of the Portfolio are not bank deposits and are not guaranteed or insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney There is no assurance that the Portfolio will achieve its investment objective and you can lose money investing in this Portfolio.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution Shares of the Portfolio are not bank deposits and are not guaranteed or insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance Information
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Portfolio by showing changes in the Portfolio's Class I shares' performance from year-to-year and by showing how the Portfolio's average annual returns for the past one, five and 10 year periods compare with those of broad measures of market performance, as well as an index that represents a group of similar mutual funds, over time. The performance of Class C shares will differ because the Class C shares have different ongoing fees. The Portfolio's past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Portfolio will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at www.morganstanley.com/im.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Portfolio by showing changes in the Portfolio's Class I shares' performance from year-to-year and by showing how the Portfolio's average annual returns for the past one, five and 10 year periods compare with those of broad measures of market performance, as well as an index that represents a group of similar mutual funds, over time.
Performance One Year or Less [Text] rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess Class C shares of the Portfolio had not commenced investment operations as of December 31, 2014.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.morganstanley.com/im
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The Portfolio's past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Portfolio will perform in the future.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Annual Total Returns—Calendar Years†
Bar Chart Footnotes [Text Block] rr_BarChartFootnotesTextBlock

†  Class I shares are not offered in this Prospectus. Class C shares of the Portfolio had not commenced investment operations as of December 31, 2014. Class C shares would have substantially similar annual returns because the shares are invested in the same portfolio of securities and the annual returns would differ only to the extent that the Classes do not have the same expenses. The returns for Class C shares are expected to be lower than the returns for Class I shares of the Portfolio as expenses of Class C shares are estimated to be higher. Return information for the Portfolio's Class C shares will be shown in future prospectuses offering the Portfolio's Class C shares after the Portfolio's Class C shares have a full calendar year of return information to report.

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

High Quarter

 

9/30/09

   

12.23

%

 

Low Quarter

 

12/31/08

   

–12.60

%

 
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus Class I shares are not offered in this Prospectus.
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel High Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 12.23%rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Low Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (12.60%)rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn
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 The after-tax returns shown in the table above are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates during the period shown 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 after-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold their Portfolio 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 returns for the Portfolio's Class C shares will vary from Class I shares' returns.
Performance Table Explanation after Tax Higher rr_PerformanceTableExplanationAfterTaxHigher After-tax returns may be higher than before-tax returns due to foreign tax credits and/or an assumed benefit from capital losses that would have been realized had Portfolio shares been sold at the end of the relevant periods, as applicable.
Performance Table Closing [Text Block] rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock

The after-tax returns shown in the table above are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates during the period shown and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. After-tax returns for the Portfolio's Class C shares will vary from Class I shares' returns. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold their Portfolio shares through tax deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns may be higher than before-tax returns due to foreign tax credits and/or an assumed benefit from capital losses that would have been realized had Portfolio shares been sold at the end of the relevant periods, as applicable.

Caption rr_AverageAnnualReturnCaption Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2014)
MSCI All Country World Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 4.16%rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01
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Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 9.17%rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05
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Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.09%rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10
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Customized MSIM Global Allocation Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.62%rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01
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Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 6.26%rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05
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Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.05%rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10
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Lipper Flexible Portfolio Funds Index (reflects no deduction for taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 4.31%rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01
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Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 8.80%rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05
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Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.12%rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10
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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 based on the lesser of the offering price or net asset value ("NAV") at redemption) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther 1.00%rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther
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Advisory Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.45%rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets
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Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets
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Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.50%rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets
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Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.95%rr_ExpensesOverAssets
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Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.11%)rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets
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Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.84%rr_NetExpensesOverAssets
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Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 287rr_ExpenseExampleYear01
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Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 579rr_ExpenseExampleYear03
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Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 187rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01
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Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 579rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03
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Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01    [7]
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05    [7]
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10    [7]
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 30, 2015 [7]
Class I Shares
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 7.90%rr_AnnualReturn2005
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Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 11.41%rr_AnnualReturn2006
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Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 13.58%rr_AnnualReturn2007
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Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (28.42%)rr_AnnualReturn2008
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Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 23.52%rr_AnnualReturn2009
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Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 10.78%rr_AnnualReturn2010
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Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 3.84%rr_AnnualReturn2011
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Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 15.85%rr_AnnualReturn2012
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Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 15.78%rr_AnnualReturn2013
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Annual Return 2014 rr_AnnualReturn2014 3.13%rr_AnnualReturn2014
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Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 3.13%rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01
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Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 9.74%rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05
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Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.75%rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10
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Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 31, 1992 [7]
Class I Shares | After Taxes on Distributions
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.20%rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01
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Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 8.42%rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05
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Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.67%rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10
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Class I Shares | After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.42%rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01
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Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 7.27%rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05
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Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.04%rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10
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[1] The MSCI All Country World Index (ACWI) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets. The term "free float" represents the portion of shares outstanding that are deemed to be available for purchase in the public equity markets by investors. The performance of the Index is listed in U.S. dollars and assumes reinvestment of net dividends. "Net dividends" reflects a reduction in dividends after taking into account withholding of taxes by any foreign countries represented in the Index. Returns, including periods prior to January 1, 2001, are calculated using the return data of the MSCI All Country World Index (gross dividends) through December 31, 2000 and the return data of the MSCI All Country World Index (net dividends) after December 31, 2000. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
[2] The Customized MSIM Global Allocation Index is comprised of 60% MSCI All Country World Index (benchmark that measures the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets), 30% Barclays Global Aggregate Bond Index (benchmark that provides a broadbased measure of the global investment grade fixed-rate debt markets), 5% S&P GSCI Light Energy Index (benchmark for investment performance in the energy commodity market), and 5% Bank of America/Merrill Lynch U.S. Dollar 1-Month LIBID Average Index (benchmark that tracks the performance of a basket of synthetic assets paying LIBID to a stated maturity). The Customized MSIM Global Allocation Index was added as the Portfolio benchmark on October 2, 2013 and is provided for comparative purposes only. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
[3] The Lipper Flexible Portfolio Funds Index is an equally-weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Flexible Portfolio Funds classification. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index.
[4] The Class C contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") is only applicable if you sell your shares within one year after purchase. See "Shareholder Information" for a complete discussion of the CDSC.
[5] Other expenses have been estimated for the current fiscal year.
[6] The Portfolio's "Adviser," Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Portfolio so that Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 1.84% for Class C. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year or until such time as the Board of Trustees of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust (the "Fund") acts to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when it deems such action is appropriate.
[7] Class I shares are not offered in this Prospectus. Class C shares of the Portfolio had not commenced investment operations as of December 31, 2014. Class C shares would have substantially similar annual returns because the shares are invested in the same portfolio of securities and the annual returns would differ only to the extent that the Classes do not have the same expenses. The returns for Class C shares are expected to be lower than the returns for Class I shares of the Portfolio as expenses of Class C shares are estimated to be higher. Return information for the Portfolio's Class C shares will be shown in future prospectuses offering the Portfolio's Class C shares after the Portfolio's Class C shares have a full calendar year of return information to report.