Label	Element	Value
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	FEDERATED EQUITY FUNDS
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	Dec. 31, 2012
Federated Capital Appreciation Fund
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk/Return [Heading]	rr_RiskReturnHeading	Federated Capital Appreciation Fund (the "Fund")
Objective [Heading]	rr_ObjectiveHeading	RISK/RETURN SUMMARY: INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Objective, Primary [Text Block]	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	The Fund's investment objective is to provide capital appreciation.
Expense [Heading]	rr_ExpenseHeading	RISK/RETURN SUMMARY: 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 the Fund's Class A Shares (A), Class B Shares (B), Class C Shares (C), Class R Shares (R) and Institutional Shares (IS). 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 classes (e.g., A class) of Federated funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in the "What Do Shares Cost?" section of the Prospectus on page 8.
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	January 1, 2014
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement Over Assets, Later of Termination Date or Next Effective Prospectus	fef5_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsLaterOfTerminationDateOrNextEffectiveProspectus	up to but not including the later of (the "Termination Date"): (a) January 1, 2014; or (b) the date of the Fund's next effective Prospectus.
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 rate 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 113% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	113.00%
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 classes (e.g., A class) of Federated funds.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount]	rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount	50,000
Expense Example [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleHeading	Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock	This 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 for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. Expenses assuming no redemption are also shown. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that operating expenses are as shown in the table above and remain the same. Although your actual costs and returns may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading]	rr_StrategyHeading	RISK/RETURN SUMMARY: INVESTMENTS, RISKS and PERFORMANCE What are the Fund's Main Investment Strategies?
Strategy Narrative [Text Block]	rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock	The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing primarily in common stock of domestic companies with large and medium market capitalizations that offer superior growth prospects or of companies whose stock is undervalued. The Fund may also invest in common stocks of foreign issuers (including American Depositary Receipts (ADRs)), and may also invest in convertible securities and preferred stocks of these domestic and foreign companies.
Risk [Heading]	rr_RiskHeading	What are the Main Risks of Investing in the Fund?
Risk Narrative [Text Block]	rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock	All mutual funds take investment risks. Therefore, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund. The primary factors that may reduce the Fund's returns include: Stock Market Risk. The value of equity securities in the Fund's portfolio will fluctuate and, as a result, the Fund's Share price may decline suddenly or over a sustained period of time. Liquidity Risk. The equity securities in which the Fund invests may be less readily marketable and may be subject to greater fluctuation in price than other securities. Risk Related to Company Size. Because the smaller companies in which the Fund may invest may have unproven track records, a limited product or service base and limited access to capital, they may be more likely to fail than larger companies. Medium-Sized Companies Risk. The Fund may invest in mid-size companies. Mid-capitalization companies often have narrower markets and limited managerial and financial resources compared to larger, more established companies. As a result, their performance can be more volatile and they face greater risk of business failure, which could increase the volatility of the Fund's portfolio. You should expect that the value of the Fund's Shares will be more volatile than a fund that invests exclusively in largecapitalization companies. Sector Risk. Because the Fund may allocate relatively more assets to certain industry sectors than others, the Fund's performance may be more susceptible to any developments which affect those sectors emphasized by the Fund. Risk of Foreign Investing. Because the Fund may invest in securities issued by foreign companies, the Fund's Share price may be more affected by foreign economic and political conditions, taxation policies and accounting and auditing standards than could otherwise be the case. Custodial Services and Related Investment Costs. Custodial services and other costs relating to investment in international securities markets generally are more expensive than in the United States. Such markets have settlement and clearance procedures that differ from those in the United States. The inability of the Fund to make intended securities purchases due to settlement problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Currency Risk. Exchange rates for currencies fluctuate daily. The combination of currency risk and market risk tends to make securities traded in foreign markets more volatile than securities traded exclusively in the United States. Eurozone Related Risk. A number of countries in the European Union (EU) have experienced, and may continue to experience, severe economic and financial difficulties. Additional EU member countries may also fall subject to such difficulties. These events could negatively affect the value and liquidity of the Fund's investments in euro-denominated securities and derivatives contracts, securities of issuers located in the EU or with significant exposure to EU issuers or countries. Risk of Investing in ADRs and Domestically Traded Securities of Foreign Issuers. Because the Fund may invest in ADRs and other domestically traded securities of foreign companies, the Fund's Share price may be more affected by foreign economic and political conditions, taxation policies and accounting and auditing standards than would otherwise be the case. Technology Risk. Proprietary and third-party data and systems are utilized to support decision making for the Fund. Data imprecision, software or other technology malfunctions, programming inaccuracies and similar circumstances may impair the performance of these systems, which may negatively affect Fund performance. The Shares offered by this Prospectus are not deposits or obligations of any bank, are not endorsed or guaranteed by any bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. government, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.
Risk Lose Money [Text]	rr_RiskLoseMoney	All mutual funds take investment risks. Therefore, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]	rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution	The Shares offered by this Prospectus are not deposits or obligations of any bank, are not endorsed or guaranteed by any bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. government, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]	rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading	Performance: Bar Chart and Table Risk/Return Bar Chart
Performance Narrative [Text Block]	rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock	The bar chart and performance table below reflect historical performance data for the Fund and are intended to help you analyze the Fund's investment risks in light of its historical returns. The bar chart shows the variability of the Fund's A class total returns on a calendar year-by-year basis. The Average Annual Total Return table shows returns averaged over the stated periods, and includes comparative performance information. The Fund's performance will fluctuate, and past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of future results. Updated performance information for the Fund is available under the "Products" section at FederatedInvestors.com or by calling 1-800-341-7400.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]	rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns	The bar chart shows the variability of the Fund's A class total returns on a calendar year-by-year basis.
Performance Availability Phone [Text]	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone	1-800-341-7400
Performance Availability Website Address [Text]	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress	FederatedInvestors.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture	The Fund's performance will fluctuate, and past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of future results.
Bar Chart [Heading]	rr_BarChartHeading	Federated Capital Appreciation Fund - A Class
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text]	rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads	The total returns shown in the bar chart do not reflect the payment of any sales charges or recurring shareholder account fees. If these charges or fees had been included, the returns shown would have been lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]	rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock	The total returns shown in the bar chart do not reflect the payment of any sales charges or recurring shareholder account fees. If these charges or fees had been included, the returns shown would have been lower. The Fund's A class total return for the nine-month period from January 1, 2012 to September 30, 2012, was 10.89%. Within the periods shown in the bar chart, the Fund's A class highest quarterly return was 14.46% (quarter ended June 30, 2003). Its lowest quarterly return was (18.04)% (quarter ended December 31, 2008).
Performance Table Heading	rr_PerformanceTableHeading	Average Annual Total Return Table
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate	rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate	The stated returns assume the highest historical federal income and capital gains tax rates. These after-tax returns do not reflect the effect of any applicable state and local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred	rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred	After-tax returns are not relevant to investors holding Shares through a 401(k) plan, an Individual Retirement Account or other tax-advantaged investment plans.
Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]	rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown	In addition to Return Before Taxes, Return After Taxes is shown for the Fund's A class to illustrate the effect of federal taxes on Fund returns.
Performance Table Narrative	rr_PerformanceTableNarrativeTextBlock	The Fund's IS class and R class commenced operations on December 31, 2007 and April 8, 2003, respectively. For the period prior to the commencement of operations of the IS class and R class, the performance information shown is for the Fund's A class. The performance of the A class has not been adjusted to reflect the expenses of the IS class since the IS class has a lower expense ratio than the expense ratio of the A class. The performance of A class has been adjusted to remove any voluntary waiver of Fund expenses that may have occurred during the period prior to the commencement of operations of the IS class. For the period prior to commencement of operations of the R class, the performance information shown is for the Fund's A class, adjusted to reflect the expense of the R class. In addition to Return Before Taxes, Return After Taxes is shown for the Fund's A class to illustrate the effect of federal taxes on Fund returns. After-tax returns are shown only for A class, and after-tax returns for B, C, R and IS classes will differ from those shown for A class. Actual after-tax returns depend on each investor's personal tax situation, and are likely to differ from those shown. After-tax returns are calculated using a standard set of assumptions. The stated returns assume the highest historical federal income and capital gains tax rates. These after-tax returns do not reflect the effect of any applicable state and local taxes. After-tax returns are not relevant to investors holding Shares through a 401(k) plan, an Individual Retirement Account or other tax-advantaged investment plans. (For the Period Ended December 31, 2011)
Federated Capital Appreciation Fund | A
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice	5.50%
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, as applicable)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends (and other Distributions) (as a percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther	none
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed, if applicable)	rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption	none
Exchange Fee	rr_ExchangeFeeOverRedemption	none
Management Fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.75%
Distribution (12b-1) Fee	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.05%
Other Expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.58%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.01%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.39%
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	0.14%	[1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	1.25%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	684
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	966
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,269
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	2,127
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	684
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	966
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	1,269
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	2,127
2002	rr_AnnualReturn2002	(18.76%)
2003	rr_AnnualReturn2003	23.81%
2004	rr_AnnualReturn2004	7.19%
2005	rr_AnnualReturn2005	1.92%
2006	rr_AnnualReturn2006	16.00%
2007	rr_AnnualReturn2007	10.60%
2008	rr_AnnualReturn2008	(28.95%)
2009	rr_AnnualReturn2009	14.14%
2010	rr_AnnualReturn2010	12.52%
2011	rr_AnnualReturn2011	(5.24%)
Year to Date Return, Label	rr_YearToDateReturnLabel	The Fund's A class total return for the nine-month period
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date	rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2012
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return	rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn	10.89%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel	highest quarterly return
Highest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate	Jun. 30, 2003
Highest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn	14.46%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel	lowest quarterly return
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate	Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn	(18.04%)
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(10.47%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(2.01%)
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	1.43%
Federated Capital Appreciation Fund | B
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 original purchase price or redemption proceeds, as applicable)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	5.50%
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends (and other Distributions) (as a percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther	none
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed, if applicable)	rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption	none
Exchange Fee	rr_ExchangeFeeOverRedemption	none
Management Fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.75%
Distribution (12b-1) Fee	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.75%
Other Expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.72%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.01%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	2.23%
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	0.12%	[1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	2.11%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	776
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	1,097
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,395
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	2,353
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	226
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	697
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	1,195
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	2,353
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(11.24%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(2.03%)
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	1.35%
Federated Capital Appreciation Fund | 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 original purchase price or redemption proceeds, as applicable)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	1.00%
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends (and other Distributions) (as a percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther	none
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed, if applicable)	rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption	none
Exchange Fee	rr_ExchangeFeeOverRedemption	none
Management Fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.75%
Distribution (12b-1) Fee	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.75%
Other Expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.61%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.01%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	2.12%
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	0.05%	[1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	2.07%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	315
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	664
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,139
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	2,452
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	215
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	664
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	1,139
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	2,452
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(6.97%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(1.68%)
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	1.20%
Federated Capital Appreciation Fund | R
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 original purchase price or redemption proceeds, as applicable)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends (and other Distributions) (as a percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther	none
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed, if applicable)	rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption	none
Exchange Fee	rr_ExchangeFeeOverRedemption	none
Management Fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.75%
Distribution (12b-1) Fee	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.50%
Other Expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.48%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.01%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.74%
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	0.27%	[1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	1.47%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	177
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	548
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	944
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	2,052
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	177
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	548
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	944
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	2,052
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(5.49%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(1.29%)
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	1.57%
Federated Capital Appreciation Fund | 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 of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, as applicable)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends (and other Distributions) (as a percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther	none
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed, if applicable)	rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption	none
Exchange Fee	rr_ExchangeFeeOverRedemption	none
Management Fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.75%
Distribution (12b-1) Fee	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	none
Other Expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.31%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.01%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.07%
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	0.08%	[1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	0.99%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	109
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	340
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	590
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	1,306
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	109
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	340
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	590
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	1,306
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(5.07%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(0.69%)
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	2.10%
Federated Capital Appreciation Fund | Return After Taxes on Distributions | A
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(10.66%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(3.03%)
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	0.54%
Federated Capital Appreciation Fund | Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | A
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(6.81%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(1.92%)
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	1.07%
Federated Capital Appreciation Fund | Standard & Poor's 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	2.11%	[2]
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(0.25%)	[2]
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	2.92%	[2]
Federated Capital Appreciation Fund | Lipper Large Cap Core Funds Average
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(1.65%)	[3]
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(1.57%)	[3]
10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	2.18%	[3]

[1] The Adviser and its affiliates have voluntarily agreed to waive their fees and/or reimburse expenses so that the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses) paid by the Fund's A, B, C, R and IS classes (after the voluntary waivers and/or reimbursements) will not exceed 1.24%, 2.10%, 2.06%,1.46% and 0.98% (the "Fee Limit"), respectively, up to but not including the later of (the "Termination Date"): (a) January 1, 2014; or (b) the date of the Fund's next effective Prospectus. While the Adviser and its affiliates currently do not anticipate terminating or increasing these arrangements prior to the Termination Date, these arrangements may only be terminated or the Fee Limit increased prior to the Termination Date with the agreement of the Fund's Board of Trustees.

[2] The Standard & Poor's 500 Index is an unmanaged capitalization-weighted index of 500 stocks designed to measure performance of the broad domestic economy through changes in the aggregate market value of 500 stocks representing all major industries.

[3] Lipper figures represent the average of the total returns reported by all the mutual funds designated by Lipper Inc. as falling into the respective categories indicated. They do not reflect sales charges.