The amount of common stock shares received from the dissolution of investment.

No definition available.

Name:	exar_CommonStockSharesReceivedDissolution
Namespace Prefix:	exar_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	exar_Note5FairValueDetailsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	exar_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of liability recognized arising from contingent consideration in a business combination.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 30

-Section 25

-Paragraph 6

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911189&loc=d3e6408-128476

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 30

-Section 35

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph b

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911338&loc=d3e6819-128478

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of tax expense (benefit) before reclassification adjustments of unrealized holding gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 12

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=d3e640-108580

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 10A

-Subparagraph (e,f)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=SL7669646-108580

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount by which the fair value of an investment in debt and equity securities categorized as Available-for-sale is less than the amortized cost basis or carrying amount of that investment at the balance sheet date and the decline in fair value is deemed to be other than temporary, before considering whether or not such amount is recognized in earnings or other comprehensive income.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27161-111563

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAvailableforsaleSecurities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	invest_InvestmentAxis=exar_CounterPathMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=exar_AltiorIncAndCadekaMicrocircuitsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Note 5 - Fair Value (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014
Note 5 - Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Tax		$ 828
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
CounterPath [Member]
Note 5 - Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]
Common Stock Shares Received, Dissolution (in Shares)	93,000	93,000
Altior Inc. and Cadeka Microcircuits [Member]
Note 5 - Fair Value (Details) [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability			$ 0