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Label Element Value
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Document Type dei_DocumentType Other
Document Period End Date dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate Apr. 29, 2011
Registrant Name dei_EntityRegistrantName GOLDMAN SACHS TRUST
Central Index Key dei_EntityCentralIndexKey 0000822977
Amendment Flag dei_AmendmentFlag false
Document Creation Date dei_DocumentCreationDate Jun. 30, 2011
Document Effective Date dei_DocumentEffectiveDate Jun. 30, 2011
Prospectus Date rr_ProspectusDate Apr. 29, 2011
Goldman Sachs India Equity Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Goldman Sachs India Equity Fund—Summary
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock The Goldman Sachs India Equity Fund (the “Fund”) seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund gst822977_FeesAndExpensesOfFundAbstract  
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts on purchases of Class A Shares if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Goldman Sachs Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in “Shareholder Guide—Common Questions Applicable to the Purchase of Class A Shares” beginning on page 36 of this Prospectus and “Other Information Regarding Maximum Sales Charge, Purchases, Redemptions, Exchanges and Dividends” beginning on page B-83 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”).
Expense Breakpoint Discounts gst822977_ExpenseBreakpointDiscountsAbstract  
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text] rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts You may qualify for sales charge discounts on purchases of Class A Shares if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Goldman Sachs Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in “Shareholder Guide—Common Questions Applicable to the Purchase of Class A Shares” beginning on page 36 of this Prospectus and “Other Information Regarding Maximum Sales Charge, Purchases, Redemptions, Exchanges and Dividends” beginning on page B-83 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”).
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount] rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount 50,000
Shareholder Fees rr_ShareholderFeesAbstract  
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesCaption Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Expenses Deferred Charges [Text Block] rr_ExpensesDeferredChargesTextBlock A contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") of 1% is imposed on Class C Shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
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)
Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text] rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates The Fund’s "Other Expenses" have been estimated to reflect expenses expected to be incurred during the first fiscal year.
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination June 30, 2012
Expense Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Expense 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 in Class A, Class C, Institutional and/or Class IR Shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Class A, Class C, Institutional and/or Class IR Shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same (except that the Example incorporates expense limitation arrangements for only the first year). Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Portfolio Turnover gst822977_PortfolioTurnoverAltAbstract  
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock The Fund pays transaction costs when it buys and sells securities or instruments (i.e., “turns over” its portfolio). A high rate of portfolio turnover may result in increased transaction costs, including brokerage commissions, which must be borne by the Fund and its shareholders, and is also likely to result in higher short-term capital gains for taxable shareholders. These costs are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the expense example above, but will be reflected in the Fund’s performance.
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Strategy
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at the time of investment) (“Net Assets”) in a portfolio of equity investments that are tied economically to India or in issuers that participate in the markets of India. The Investment Adviser considers an equity investment to be tied economically to India if the investment is included in an index representative of India, the investment's returns are linked to the performance of such an index, or the investment is exposed to the economic risks and returns of India.

An issuer participates in the markets of India if the issuer:

• Has a class of its securities whose principal securities market is in India;

• Is organized under the laws of, or has a principal office in, India;

• Derives 50% or more of its total revenue from goods produced, sales made or services provided in India; or

• Maintains 50% or more of its assets in India.

The Fund expects to invest primarily in equity securities, including common or ordinary stocks, American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), European Depository Receipts (“EDRs”), preferred stock, convertible securities, investment companies (including other mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”)), and rights and warrants. The Fund's equity investments may also include equity swaps, equity index swaps, futures, participation notes, options and other derivatives and structured securities to gain broad access to markets that may be difficult to access via direct investment in equity securities. Only securities open to U.S. investors are eligible for investment by the Fund.

The Fund will gain exposure to the investments described above primarily through a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund organized as a company under the laws of the Republic of Mauritius (the “Subsidiary”). The Subsidiary is advised by the Investment Adviser, and has the same investment objective and strategies as the Fund.

The Fund's investments are selected using a strong valuation discipline based on industry specific metrics, to purchase what the Investment Adviser believes are well-positioned, cash-generating businesses run by shareholder-oriented management teams. From a valuation perspective, the Investment Adviser generally looks for companies where its proprietary estimate of their earnings, asset value or cash flow is meaningfully different from consensus; or where the Investment Adviser believes growth in intrinsic value is not reflected in the share price. Allocation of the Fund's investments is determined by the Investment Adviser's assessment of a company's upside potential and downside risk, how attractive it appears relative to other holdings, and how the addition will impact sector and industry weightings. The largest overweights are given to companies the Investment Adviser believes have the most upside return potential relative to their contribution to overall portfolio risk. The Fund's investments may include companies of all capitalization sizes.

The Fund will not invest more than 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry, except that, to the extent that an industry represents 20% or more of the Fund's benchmark index at the time of investment, the Fund may invest up to 35% of its assets in that industry. The Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 20% of its Net Assets in investments in developed countries and emerging countries other than India, including non-investment grade fixed income securities.

THE FUND IS “NON-DIVERSIFIED” UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 (“INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT”), AND MAY INVEST MORE OF ITS ASSETS IN FEWER ISSUERS THAN “DIVERSIFIED” MUTUAL FUNDS.

Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Risks of the Fund
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

Loss of money is a risk of investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any government agency. The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment program. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Currency Risk. Changes in currency exchange rates may adversely affect the value of the Fund’s securities denominated in foreign currencies. Currency exchange rates can be volatile. The Fund may from time to time attempt to hedge all or a portion of its currency risk using a variety of techniques, including currency futures, forwards, and options. However, these instruments may not always work as intended, and in certain cases the Fund may be worse off than if it had not used a hedging instrument.

Depositary Receipts Risk. Foreign securities may trade in the form of depositary receipts, including ADRs, GDRs and EDRs (collectively, “Depositary Receipts”). In addition to the risks inherent in the underlying securities represented by the Depositary Receipts, in some situations there may be an increased possibility that the Fund would not become aware of and be able to respond to corporate actions involving the foreign issuer in a timely manner. Also, a lack of information may result in inefficiencies in the valuation of such instruments. Investment in Depositary Receipts does not eliminate all the risks inherent in investing in securities of non-U.S. issuers.

Derivatives Risk. Loss may result from the Fund’s investments in equity swaps, equity index swaps, futures, participation notes, options and structured securities and other derivative instruments. These instruments may be illiquid, difficult to price and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses to the Fund. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation.

Emerging Countries Risk. The securities markets of emerging countries are less liquid, are especially subject to greater price volatility, have smaller market capitalizations, have less government regulation and are not subject to as extensive and frequent accounting, financial and other reporting requirements as the securities markets of more developed countries.

Foreign Risk. Foreign securities may be subject to risk of loss because of less foreign government regulation, less public information and less economic, political and social stability in these countries. Loss may also result from the imposition of exchange controls, confiscations and other government restrictions, or from problems in registration, settlement or custody.

India Risk. Investing in India may involve a higher degree of risk and special considerations not typically associated with investing in more established economies or securities markets. The Fund’s investment exposure to India may subject the Fund, to a greater extent than if investments were not made in India, to the risks of adverse securities markets, exchange rates and social, political, regulatory, economic or environmental events and natural disasters which may occur in India. Securities laws in India are relatively new and unsettled and, consequently, there is a risk of rapid and unpredictable change in laws regarding foreign investment, securities regulation, title to securities and shareholder rights. Global factors and foreign actions may inhibit the flow of foreign capital on which India is dependent to sustain its growth. The economy, industries, and securities and currency markets of India may be adversely affected by protectionist trade policies, slow economic activity worldwide, dependence on exports and international trade, competition from Asia’s other low-cost emerging economies, political and social instability, regional and global conflicts, terrorism and war, including actions that are contrary to the interests of the U.S.

India’s economy encompasses traditional village farming, modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries, and a multitude of services. Services are the major source of economic growth, accounting for half of India’s output with less than one quarter of its labor force. About two-thirds of the workforce is in agriculture. Despite strong growth, the World Bank and others express concern about the combined state and federal budget deficit.

Industry Concentration Risk. The Fund will not invest more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry, except that, to the extent that an industry represents 20% or more of the Fund’s benchmark index at the time of investment, the Fund may invest up to 35% of its assets in that industry. Concentrating Fund investments in a limited number of issuers conducting business in the same industry will subject the Fund to a greater risk of loss as a result of adverse economic, business or other developments affecting that industry than if its investments were not so concentrated.

Liquidity Risk. The Fund may make investments that may be illiquid or that may become less liquid in response to market developments or adverse investor perceptions. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that the Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the allowable time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, the Fund may be forced to sell securities at an unfavorable time and/or under unfavorable conditions.

Market Risk. The value of the instruments in which the Fund invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies, particular industry sectors or governments and/or general economic conditions.

Mid-Cap and Small Cap Risk. The securities of mid-capitalization and small-capitalization companies involve greater risks than those associated with larger, more established companies. These securities may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements and may lack sufficient market liquidity, and these issuers often face greater business risks.

NAV Risk. The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Fund and the value of your investment may fluctuate.

Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund is non-diversified and is permitted to invest more of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified” mutual fund. Thus, the Fund may be more susceptible to adverse developments affecting any single issuer held in its portfolio, and may be more susceptible to greater losses because of these developments.

Participation Notes Risk. Participation notes are designed to replicate the return of a particular underlying equity or debt security, currency or market. Investments in participation notes involve the same risks associated with a direct investment in the underlying security, currency or market they seek to replicate. The Fund has no rights under participation notes against the issuer of the underlying security and must instead rely on the creditworthiness of the counterparty to the transaction.

Stock Risk. Stock prices have historically risen and fallen in periodic cycles. U.S. and foreign stock markets have experienced periods of substantial price volatility in the past and may do so again in the future.

Subsidiary Risk. By investing in the Subsidiary, the Fund will be indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments. The Subsidiary will invest only in instruments in which the Fund is permitted to invest directly and will be subject to the risks that are described in this Prospectus. There can be no assurance that the Subsidiary’s investment objective will be achieved. The Subsidiary is not registered under the Investment Company Act, and, unless otherwise noted in this Prospectus, is not subject to all the investor protections of the Investment Company Act. Changes in the laws or policies of the United States, India and/or the Republic of Mauritius could result in the inability of the Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described in this Prospectus and the SAI and could adversely affect the Fund.

The Fund’s investments in the Subsidiary are not protected by any statutory compensation arrangements in the Republic of Mauritius in the event of the Subsidiary’s failure. The Mauritius Financial Services Commission does not vouch for the financial soundness of the Subsidiary or for the correctness of any statements made or opinions expressed with regard to it.

Tax Risk. The Fund may invest in the Subsidiary and will seek to obtain benefits from favorable tax treatment by the Indian government pursuant to a tax treaty between India and the Republic of Mauritius. The Supreme Court of India has upheld the validity of a tax treaty with respect to entities such as the Fund. However, there can be no assurance that any future challenge will result in a favorable outcome, or that the terms of a treaty will not be subject to re-negotiation or a different interpretation, or that the Subsidiary’s favorable tax treatment will continue. Any change in the provisions of a tax treaty or in its applicability to the Subsidiary could result in the imposition of withholding and other taxes on the Subsidiary by India, which would reduce the return to the Fund on its investments. Certain shareholders, including some non-U.S. shareholders, are not entitled to the benefit of a deduction or credit with respect to foreign taxes paid by the Fund, which the Fund intends to elect to pass through to its shareholders.

Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney Loss of money is a risk of investing in the Fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any government agency.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund is non-diversified and is permitted to invest more of its assets in fewer issuers than a “diversified” mutual fund. Thus, the Fund may be more susceptible to adverse developments affecting any single issuer held in its portfolio, and may be more susceptible to greater losses because of these developments.
Performance gst822977_PerformanceAbstract  
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock As the Fund had not yet commenced investment operations as of the date of this Prospectus, there is no performance information quoted for the Fund.
Performance One Year or Less [Text] rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess As the Fund had not yet commenced investment operations as of the date of this Prospectus, there is no performance information quoted for the Fund.
Goldman Sachs India Equity Fund | Class A Shares
  
Shareholder Fees rr_ShareholderFeesAbstract  
Shareholder Fees Column [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesColumnName Class A
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 the lower of original purchase price or sale proceeds) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none [1]
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class A
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.10%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.86% [2]
Acquired Fund (Subsidiary) Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.80% [3]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 3.01%
Expense Limitation rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (1.11%) [4]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Limitation rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.90% [4]
Expense Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class A Shares
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 732
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 1,331
Goldman Sachs India Equity Fund | Class C Shares
  
Shareholder Fees rr_ShareholderFeesAbstract  
Shareholder Fees Column [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesColumnName Class C
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 the lower of original purchase price or sale proceeds) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther 1.00% [1]
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class C
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.10%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.86% [2]
Acquired Fund (Subsidiary) Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.80% [3]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 3.76%
Expense Limitation rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (1.11%) [4]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Limitation rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 2.65% [4]
Expense Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class C Shares
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearCaption Assuming complete redemption at end of period
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 368
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 1,047
Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearCaption Assuming no redemption
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 268
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 1,047
Goldman Sachs India Equity Fund | Institutional Shares
  
Shareholder Fees rr_ShareholderFeesAbstract  
Shareholder Fees Column [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesColumnName Institutional
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 the lower of original purchase price or sale proceeds) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none [1]
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Institutional
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.10%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.71% [2]
Acquired Fund (Subsidiary) Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.80% [3]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 2.61%
Expense Limitation rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (1.11%) [4]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Limitation rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.50% [4]
Expense Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Institutional Shares
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 153
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 706
Goldman Sachs India Equity Fund | Class IR Shares
  
Shareholder Fees rr_ShareholderFeesAbstract  
Shareholder Fees Column [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesColumnName Class IR
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 the lower of original purchase price or sale proceeds) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none [1]
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Column [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesColumnName Class IR
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.10%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.86% [2]
Acquired Fund (Subsidiary) Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.80% [3]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 2.76%
Expense Limitation rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (1.11%) [4]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Limitation rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.65% [4]
Expense Example rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example, By Year, Column [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearColumnName Class IR Shares
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 168
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 751
[1] A contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") of 1% is imposed on Class C Shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase.
[2] The Fund's "Other Expenses" have been estimated to reflect expenses expected to be incurred during the first fiscal year.
[3] Acquired Fund (Subsidiary) Fees and Expenses reflect the expenses borne by the Fund as the sole shareholder of the Subsidiary (as defined below). The Subsidiary pays certain other expenses, including service and custody fees. The Investment Adviser has agreed to reduce or limit the Subsidiary's expenses to 0.254% of the Subsidiary's average daily net assets through at least June 30, 2012, and prior to such date, the Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangement without the approval of the Board of Trustees.
[4] The Investment Adviser has agreed to reduce or limit "Other Expenses" (excluding management fees, distribution and service fees, transfer agency fees and expenses, taxes, interest, brokerage fees and litigation, indemnification, shareholder meeting and other extraordinary expenses exclusive of any custody and transfer agent fee credit reductions) to 0.11% of the Fund's average daily net assets through at least June 30, 2012, and prior to such date, the Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangement without the approval of the Board of Trustees.