XML 32 R65.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.7.0.1
Label Element Value
Global Multi-Asset Income Portfolio  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Global Multi-Asset Income Portfolio
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

The Global Multi-Asset Income Portfolio's (the "Portfolio") investment objective is to maximize current income and to seek capital appreciation over time.
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 shares of the Portfolio. For purchases of Class A shares, you may qualify for a sales charge discount if the cumulative net asset value per share ("NAV") of Class A shares of the Portfolio being purchased in a single transaction, together with the NAV of any Class A, Class L and Class C shares of the Portfolio of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust (the "Fund") already held in Related Accounts (as defined in the section of the Prospectus entitled "Shareholder Information—Sales Charges Applicable to Purchases of Class A Shares") as of the date of the transaction as well as Class A, Class B, Class L and Class C shares of any other Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund (as defined in the section of the Prospectus entitled "Shareholder Information—Exchange Privilege") and including shares of Morgan Stanley Money Market Funds (as defined in the section of the Prospectus entitled "Shareholder Information—Exchange Privilege") that you acquired in an exchange of Class A shares of the Portfolio or Class A shares of another Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund already held in Related Accounts as of the date of the transaction, amounts to $25,000 or more. More information about this combined purchase discount and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary, on page 25 of the Prospectus in the section entitled "Shareholder Information—Sales Charges Applicable to Purchases of Class A Shares" and in Appendix A attached to the Prospectus.
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 236% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 236.00%
Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text] rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates "Other Expenses" include expenses of the Portfolio's most recent fiscal year and estimated expenses of the Subsidiary (as defined below) 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 (except that the example incorporates the fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement arrangement for only the first year). 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 and by utilizing an option writing strategy to enhance current income. The Adviser will seek to generate income through (1) a global multi-asset core portfolio, (2) high yielding investments and (3) an option writing strategy. The amount of the Portfolio's assets committed to any investment category will fluctuate and, as a result, at any given time the Portfolio's assets may be invested in certain categories and not others.


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.


In selecting individual securities for the Portfolio, the Adviser will utilize a top-down investment approach that focuses on asset class, sector, region, country and currency selection. The Portfolio's allocations will be based upon the Adviser's evaluations and analyses, taking into account its fundamental investment research, primarily driven by quantitative macroeconomic and market data. Investment decisions will be made without regard to any particular allocation as to geographical location, sector, credit rating, maturity, currency denomination or market capitalization. The Portfolio may invest in any country, including developing or emerging market countries. The Portfolio's investments may be denominated in U.S. dollars or in currencies other than U.S. dollars.


A portion of the Portfolio's investments will normally be allocated to higher yielding investments, which, based upon the Adviser's analysis, have the potential to generate premium yield to the equity market yield. This portion of the Portfolio's portfolio may include, but is not limited to, high quality, dividend paying stocks, investment grade and below investment grade fixed income securities, foreign and emerging markets debt, convertible securities, limited partnership interests and REITs.


In executing the option writing strategy of the Portfolio, the Adviser will write (i.e., sell) call options and/or put options on equity securities in the Portfolio's portfolio (i.e., covered) and on broad based equity indices, exchange-traded funds ("ETFs") and/or baskets of securities in an attempt to generate current income from option premiums as a means of enhancing distributions paid to shareholders. Options written by the Portfolio may be traded on either U.S. or foreign exchanges or over-the-counter ("OTC"). Under normal market conditions, the Adviser expects to write call options and put options in an amount up to 40% and 20%, respectively, of the value of the Portfolio's total assets.


The Portfolio may invest a portion of its assets in repurchase agreements and fixed income securities that are rated below "investment grade" or are not rated, but are of equivalent quality. These fixed income securities are often referred to as "high yield securities" or "junk bonds." High yield securities are fixed income securities rated below Baa3 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings Group, a division of S&P Global Inc. ("S&P"), below BBB- by Fitch Ratings, Inc. ("Fitch") or if unrated considered by the Adviser to be of equivalent quality.


The mortgage-backed securities in which the Portfolio may invest include mortgage pass-through securities that represent a participation interest in a pool of mortgage loans originated by U.S. governmental or private lenders such as bank. The Portfolio may also invest in restricted and illiquid securities.


In addition to the option writing strategy discussed above, 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, swaps and structured investments, 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.


The Portfolio may, consistent with its principal investment strategies, invest up to 25% of its total assets in a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Portfolio organized as a company under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the "Subsidiary"). The Subsidiary may invest, directly or indirectly through the use of derivatives, in securities, commodities, commodity-related instruments and other investments, primarily futures, swaps and notes. The Subsidiary is advised by the Adviser.


Investments in the Subsidiary are intended to provide the Portfolio with exposure to commodities markets within the limitations of the federal tax requirements that apply to the Portfolio. The Subsidiary primarily obtains its commodity exposure by investing in commodity-linked derivative instruments, which may include, but are not limited to, total return swaps, commodity (U.S. or foreign) futures and commodity-linked notes. The Subsidiary may also invest in other instruments, including fixed income securities, either as investments or to serve as margin or collateral for its swap positions, and foreign currency transactions (including forward contracts).
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 risk, especially since the Federal Reserve Board has ended its quantitative easing program and has begun to raise rates. The Portfolio may be subject to certain liquidity risks, which may result from the lack of an active market and the reduced number and capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in fixed income securities. The Portfolio is not limited as to the maturities (when a debt security provides its final payment) or durations (measure of interest rate sensitivity) of the securities in which it may invest. 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. 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. Investing in emerging markets intensifies this risk, because lower quality fixed income securities are more volatile in price.


•  High Yield Securities ("Junk Bonds"). The Portfolio's investments in high yield securities expose it to a substantial degree of credit risk. Investing in emerging markets intensifies risk, because high yield securities may be more volatile in price in certain environments. 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-Backed Securities. Mortgage-backed securities entail prepayment risk, which generally increases during a period of falling interest rates. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of mortgage-backed 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. Investments in mortgage-backed securities may give rise to a form of leverage (indebtedness) and may cause the Portfolio's turnover rate to appear higher. Leverage may cause the Portfolio to be more volatile than if the Portfolio had not been leveraged.


•  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 that 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 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 may 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 United States, 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 other types of 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.


•  Option Writing Strategy. Writing call options involves the risk that the Portfolio may be required to sell the underlying security or instrument (or settle in cash an amount of equal value) at a disadvantageous price or below the market price of such underlying security or instrument, at the time the option is exercised. As the writer of a call option, the Portfolio forgoes, during the option's life, the opportunity to profit from increases in the market value of the underlying security or instrument covering the option above the sum of the premium and the exercise price, but retains the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security or instrument decline. Additionally, the Portfolio's call option writing strategy may not fully protect it against declines in the value of the market.


During periods in which equity markets are generally unchanged or falling, or in a modestly rising market where the income from premiums exceeds the aggregate appreciation of the underlying security or instrument over its exercise price, a diversified portfolio receiving premiums from its call option writing strategy may outperform the same portfolio without such an options strategy. However, in rising markets where the aggregate appreciation of the underlying security or instrument over its exercise price exceeds the income from premiums, a portfolio with a call writing strategy could significantly underperform the same portfolio without such an options writing strategy.


Writing put options involves the risk that the Portfolio may be required to buy the underlying security or instrument (or settle in cash an amount of equal value) at a disadvantageous price or above the market price of such underlying security or instrument, at the time the option is exercised. While the Portfolio's potential gain in writing a put option is limited to the premium received plus the interest earned on the liquid assets covering the put option, the Portfolio's risk of loss is equal to the entire value of the underlying security or instrument, offset only by the amount of the premium received. The Portfolio will also incur a form of economic leverage through its use of call and put options, which will increase the volatility of the Portfolio's returns and may increase the risk of loss to the Portfolio.


During periods in which equity markets are generally unchanged or rising, or in a modestly falling market where the income from premium exceeds the aggregate depreciation of the underlying security or instrument below its exercise price, a diversified portfolio receiving premiums from its put option writing strategy may outperform the same portfolio without such an options strategy. However, in declining markets where the aggregate depreciation of the underlying security or instrument below its exercise price exceeds the income from premiums, a portfolio with a put writing strategy could significantly underperform the same portfolio without the options writing strategy.


There are special risks associated with uncovered option writing which expose the Portfolio to potentially significant loss. As the seller of an uncovered call option, the Portfolio bears unlimited risk of loss should the price of the underlying security increase above the exercise price until the Portfolio covers its exposure. As with writing uncovered calls, the risk of writing uncovered put options is substantial. The seller of an uncovered put option bears a risk of loss if the value of the underlying instrument declines below the exercise price. Such loss could be substantial if there is a significant decline in the value of the underlying instrument.


•  Investment Company Securities. Subject to the limitations set forth in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), or as otherwise permitted by the SEC, the Portfolio may acquire shares in other investment companies, including foreign investment companies and ETFs, which may be managed by the Adviser or its affiliates. The market value of the shares of other investment companies may differ from the NAV of the Portfolio. The shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount to their NAV. As a shareholder in an investment company, the Portfolio would bear its ratable share of that entity's expenses, including its investment advisory and administration fees. At the same time, the Portfolio would continue to pay its own advisory and administration fees and other expenses. As a result, the Portfolio and its shareholders, in effect, will be absorbing duplicate levels of fees with respect to investments in other investment companies.


•  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 the derivative instrument relates 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.


•  Subsidiary Risk. The Subsidiary is not registered under the 1940 Act and is not subject to all the investor protections of the 1940 Act. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Portfolio and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described herein and could adversely affect the Portfolio. By investing in the Subsidiary, the Portfolio is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary's investments.


•  Tax Risk. The Portfolio may seek to gain exposure to the commodity markets through investments in the Subsidiary or commodity index-linked structured notes. Historically, the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") has issued private letter rulings in which the IRS specifically concluded that income and gains from investments in commodity index-linked structured notes or a wholly-owned foreign subsidiary that invests in commodity-linked instruments are "qualifying income" for purposes of compliance with Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The Portfolio has not received such a private letter ruling, and is not able to rely on private letter rulings issued to other taxpayers. Additionally, the IRS has suspended the granting of such private letter rulings, pending review of its position on this matter. The IRS recently issued proposed regulations that, if finalized, would generally treat the Portfolio's income inclusion with respect to the Subsidiary as qualifying income only if there is a distribution out of the earnings and profits of the Subsidiary that are attributable to such income inclusion. The proposed regulations, if adopted, would apply to taxable years beginning on or after 90 days after the regulations are published as final. The IRS also recently issued a revenue procedure, which states that the IRS will not in the future issue private letter rulings that would require a determination of whether an asset (such as a commodity index-linked note) is a "security" under the 1940 Act. Based on the principles underlying private letter rulings previously issued to other taxpayers, the Portfolio intends to treat its income from commodity index-linked structured notes and the Subsidiary as qualifying income without any such ruling from the IRS. The tax treatment of the Portfolio's investments in the Subsidiary may be adversely affected by future legislation, court decisions, Treasury Regulations and/or guidance issued by the IRS that could affect whether income derived from such investments is "qualifying income" under Subchapter M of the Code, or otherwise affect the character, timing and/or amount of the Portfolio's taxable income or any gains and distributions made by the Portfolio. No assurances can be provided that the IRS would not be able to successfully assert that the Portfolio's income from such investments was not "qualifying income," in which case the Portfolio would fail to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code if over 10% of its gross income was derived from these investments. If the Portfolio failed to qualify as a regulated investment company, it would be subject to federal and state income tax on all of its taxable income at regular corporate tax rates with no deduction for any distributions paid to shareholders, which would significantly adversely affect the returns to, and could cause substantial losses for, Portfolio shareholders. The Cayman Islands does not currently impose any income, corporate or capital gains tax, estate duty, inheritance tax, gift tax or withholding tax on the Subsidiary. If Cayman Islands law changes such that the Subsidiary must pay Cayman Islands taxes, Portfolio shareholders would likely suffer decreased investment returns.


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 for one year and by showing how the Portfolio's average annual returns for the past one year period and since inception 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 the other Classes, which is shown in the table below, will differ because the Classes have different ongoing fees. The Portfolio's returns in the table include the maximum applicable sales charge for Class A and Class C and assume you sold your shares at the end of each period (unless otherwise noted). 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 or by calling toll-free (800) 548-7786.
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 for one year and by showing how the Portfolio's average annual returns for the past one year period and since inception 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 Availability Phone [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone (800) 548-7786
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 Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

High Quarter

  

03/31/16

    

3.90

%

  

Low Quarter

  

12/31/16

    

–3.72

%

  
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel High Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Mar. 31, 2016
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 3.90%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Low Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2016
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (3.72%)
Performance Table Does Reflect Sales Loads rr_PerformanceTableDoesReflectSalesLoads The Portfolio's returns in the table include the maximum applicable sales charge for Class A and Class C and assume you sold your shares at the end of each period (unless otherwise noted).
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 other Classes 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 other Classes 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, 2016)
Global Multi-Asset Income Portfolio | Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Past 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.09% [1]
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (0.15%) [1],[2]
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 30, 2015 [1]
Global Multi-Asset Income Portfolio | Customized MSIM Global Allocation Income Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Past 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 5.60% [3]
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 0.44% [2],[3]
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 30, 2015 [3]
Global Multi-Asset Income Portfolio | Lipper Flexible Portfolio Funds Index (reflects no deduction for taxes)  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Past 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 7.16% [4]
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 1.02% [2],[4]
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 30, 2015 [4]
Global Multi-Asset Income Portfolio | 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 based on the lesser of the offering price or NAV at redemption) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none
Advisory Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.65% [5]
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 6.24% [6]
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.05% [7]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 6.94% [8]
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 5.94% [8]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.00% [8]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 102
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 1,518
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 2,879
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 6,058
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 102
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 1,518
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 2,879
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 6,058
Annual Return 2016 rr_AnnualReturn2016 4.04%
Average Annual Returns, Past 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 4.04%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (1.40%)
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 30, 2015
Global Multi-Asset Income Portfolio | Class I | After Taxes on Distributions  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Past 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 3.44%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (2.12%)
Global Multi-Asset Income Portfolio | Class I | After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Past 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.42%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (1.31%)
Global Multi-Asset Income Portfolio | Class A  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 5.25%
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage based on the lesser of the offering price or NAV at redemption) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none [9]
Advisory Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.65% [5]
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 3.99% [6]
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.05% [7]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 4.94% [8]
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 3.59% [8]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.35% [8]
Expenses Deferred Charges [Text Block] rr_ExpensesDeferredChargesTextBlock Investments that are not subject to any sales charges at the time of purchase are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") of 1.00% that will be imposed if you sell your shares within 18 months after the last day of the month of purchase, except for certain specific circumstances. See "Shareholder Information—How to Redeem Portfolio Shares" for further information about the CDSC waiver categories.
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text] rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts For purchases of Class A shares, you may qualify for a sales charge discount if the cumulative net asset value per share ("NAV") of Class A shares of the Portfolio being purchased in a single transaction, together with the NAV of any Class A, Class L and Class C shares of the Portfolio of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust (the "Fund") already held in Related Accounts (as defined in the section of the Prospectus entitled "Shareholder Information—Sales Charges Applicable to Purchases of Class A Shares") as of the date of the transaction as well as Class A, Class B, Class L and Class C shares of any other Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund (as defined in the section of the Prospectus entitled "Shareholder Information—Exchange Privilege") and including shares of Morgan Stanley Money Market Funds (as defined in the section of the Prospectus entitled "Shareholder Information—Exchange Privilege") that you acquired in an exchange of Class A shares of the Portfolio or Class A shares of another Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund already held in Related Accounts as of the date of the transaction, amounts to $25,000 or more.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount] rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount $ 25,000
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 655
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 1,626
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 2,598
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 5,033
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 655
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 1,626
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 2,598
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 5,033
Average Annual Returns, Past 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (1.82%)
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (4.85%)
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 30, 2015
Global Multi-Asset Income Portfolio | 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 NAV at redemption) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther 1.00% [10]
Advisory Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.65% [5]
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 12.67% [6]
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.05% [7]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 14.37% [8]
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 12.27% [8]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 2.10% [8]
Expenses Deferred Charges [Text Block] rr_ExpensesDeferredChargesTextBlock The Class C CDSC is only applicable if you sell your shares within one year after purchase. See "Shareholder Information—How to Redeem Portfolio Shares" for a complete discussion of the CDSC.
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 313
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 2,900
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 5,107
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 9,050
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 213
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 2,900
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 5,107
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 9,050
Average Annual Returns, Past 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.78%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (2.57%)
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate May 08, 2015
Global Multi-Asset Income Portfolio | Class IS  
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 NAV at redemption) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none
Advisory Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.65% [5]
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 3.50% [6]
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.05% [7]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 4.20% [8]
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 3.25% [8]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.95% [8]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 97
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 978
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,873
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 4,174
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 97
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 978
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,873
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 4,174
Average Annual Returns, Past 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 4.09%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (1.36%)
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 30, 2015
[1] The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Index provides a broad-based measure of the global investment grade fixed-rate debt markets. Total Returns shown in unhedged USD. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
[2] Since Inception reflects the inception date of Class I.
[3] The Customized MSIM Global Allocation Income Index is comprised of 30% MSCI All Country World Index (benchmark that measures the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets), 50% Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Index (benchmark that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment grade fixed-rate debt markets), 5% Dow Jones Brookfield Global Infrastructure Index (benchmark that measures the stock performance of companies that exhibit strong infrastructure characteristics), 5% FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Index (benchmark that is designed to reflect stock performance of companies engaged in North American, European, and Asian real estate markets), 5% Bloomberg Barclays Global High Yield Index (benchmark that is a multi-currency flagship measure of global high yield debt market), and 5% J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Global Index (benchmark that tracks returns for U.S. dollar-denominated debt instruments issued by emerging market sovereign and quasi sovereign entities). It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
[4] 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.
[5] "Advisory Fee" includes the management fee of the Subsidiary (as defined below). The Portfolio's "Adviser," Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., has agreed to waive or credit a portion of the advisory fee in an amount equal to the management fee paid to the Adviser by the Subsidiary.
[6] "Other Expenses" include expenses of the Portfolio's most recent fiscal year and estimated expenses of the Subsidiary (as defined below) for the current fiscal year.
[7] The Portfolio may invest a portion of its assets in other investment companies (the "Acquired Funds"). The Portfolio's shareholders indirectly bear a pro rata portion of the expenses of the Acquired Funds in which the Portfolio invests. "Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses" in the table is an estimate of those expenses. The estimate is based upon the average allocation of the Portfolio's investments in the Acquired Funds and upon the actual total operating expenses of the Acquired Funds (including any current waivers and expense limitations) for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016. Actual Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses incurred by the Portfolio may vary with changes in the allocation of Portfolio assets among the Acquired Funds and with other events that directly affect the fees and expenses of the Acquired Funds. Since "Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses" are not directly borne by the Portfolio, they are not reflected in the Portfolio's financial statements, with the result that the information presented in the table will differ from that presented in the Financial Highlights.
[8] The Portfolio's Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Portfolio so that Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses, excluding Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 0.95% for Class I, 1.30% for Class A, 2.05% for Class C and 0.90% for Class IS. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year or until such time as the Fund's Board of Trustees acts to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when it deems such action is appropriate.
[9] Investments that are not subject to any sales charges at the time of purchase are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") of 1.00% that will be imposed if you sell your shares within 18 months after the last day of the month of purchase, except for certain specific circumstances. See "Shareholder Information-How to Redeem Portfolio Shares" for further information about the CDSC waiver categories.
[10] The Class C CDSC is only applicable if you sell your shares within one year after purchase. See "Shareholder Information-How to Redeem Portfolio Shares" for a complete discussion of the CDSC.