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Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading EMERGING MARKETS PORTFOLIO
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

The Emerging Markets Portfolio seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in growth-oriented equity securities of issuers in emerging market countries.

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 shareholders of Class P and Class H shares, you may qualify for sales charge discounts if the cumulative net asset value ("NAV") of Class P or Class H shares of the Portfolio purchased in a single transaction, together with the NAV of all Class P or Class H shares of portfolios of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") or portfolios of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust held in related accounts, amounts to $25,000 or more with respect to Class P and $50,000 or more with respect to Class H. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial adviser and in the "Shareholder Information—How To Purchase Class P and Class H Shares" section on page 62 of this 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 Portfolio performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolio's portfolio turnover rate was 47% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 47.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

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


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

Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

The Adviser and the Portfolio's "Sub-Advisers," Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company ("MSIM Company") and Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited ("MSIM Limited"), seek to maximize returns by investing primarily in growth-oriented equity securities in emerging markets.


The Adviser's and Sub-Advisers' investment approach combines top-down country allocation with bottom-up stock selection. The Adviser and Sub-Advisers allocate the Portfolio's assets among emerging markets based on relative economic, political and social fundamentals, stock valuations and investor sentiment. To manage risk, the Adviser and/or Sub-Advisers emphasize macroeconomic and fundamental research.


Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Portfolio's assets will be invested in equity securities of issuers located in emerging market countries. This policy may be changed without shareholder approval; however, you would be notified in writing of any changes. The Adviser and/or Sub-Advisers generally consider selling an investment when they determine the company no longer satisfies their investment criteria.


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 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 80% policy discussed above to the extent they have economic characteristics similar to the securities included within that policy.

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.


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


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


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

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

The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Portfolio by showing changes in the Portfolio's Class I shares' performance from year-to-year and by showing how the Portfolio's average annual returns for the past one, five and 10 year periods compare with those of a broad measure 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 P 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.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Portfolio by showing changes in the Portfolio's Class I shares' performance from year-to-year and by showing how the Portfolio's average annual returns for the past one, five and 10 year periods compare with those of a broad measure of market performance, as well as an index that represents a group of similar mutual funds, over time.
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 Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads The Portfolio's returns in the table include the maximum applicable sales charge for Class P and assume you sold your shares at the end of each period (unless otherwise noted).
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

High Quarter

 

6/30/09

   

35.03

%

 

Low Quarter

 

12/31/08

   

–29.79

%

 
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel High Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 35.03%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Low Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (29.79%)
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 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 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 the calendar periods ended December 31, 2012)
MSCI Emerging Markets Net Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 18.22% [1]
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (0.92%) [1]
Average Annual Returns, Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 16.52% [1]
Lipper Emerging Markets Funds Index (reflects no deduction for taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 20.08% [2]
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (1.48%) [2]
Average Annual Returns, Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 15.89% [2]
CLASS I
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of Amount Redeemed) rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption (2.00%)
Advisory Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.21%
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.28%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.49% [3]
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.24%) [3]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.25% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 127
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 397
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 686
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,511
Annual Return 2003 rr_AnnualReturn2003 55.08%
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 24.09%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 34.54%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 38.00%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 41.56%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (56.39%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 69.54%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 18.49%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (18.41%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 20.19%
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 20.19%
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (2.99%)
Average Annual Returns, Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 15.81%
CLASS I | After Taxes on Distributions
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 20.31%
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (3.27%)
Average Annual Returns, Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 14.98%
CLASS I | After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Portfolio Shares
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 13.53%
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (2.51%)
Average Annual Returns, Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 14.35%
CLASS P
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 5.25%
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of Amount Redeemed) rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption (2.00%)
Advisory Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.21%
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.28%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.74% [3]
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.24%) [3]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.50% [3]
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text] rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts For shareholders of Class P and Class H shares, you may qualify for sales charge discounts if the cumulative net asset value ("NAV") of Class P or Class H shares of the Portfolio purchased in a single transaction, together with the NAV of all Class P or Class H shares of portfolios of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") or portfolios of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust held in related accounts, amounts to $25,000 or more with respect to Class P and $50,000 or more with respect to Class H.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount] rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount 25,000
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 670
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 974
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,300
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,222
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 13.60% [4]
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (4.28%) [4]
Average Annual Returns, Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 14.88% [4]
Class H
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 4.75%
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of Amount Redeemed) rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption (2.00%)
Advisory Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.21%
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.28%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.74% [3]
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.24%) [3]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.50% [3]
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text] rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts For shareholders of Class P and Class H shares, you may qualify for sales charge discounts if the cumulative net asset value ("NAV") of Class P or Class H shares of the Portfolio purchased in a single transaction, together with the NAV of all Class P or Class H shares of portfolios of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") or portfolios of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust held in related accounts, amounts to $25,000 or more with respect to Class P and $50,000 or more with respect to Class H.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount] rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount 50,000
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 620
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 927
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,255
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,180
Performance One Year or Less [Text] rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess Class H and Class L shares of the Portfolio had not completed a full calendar year of operations as of December 31, 2012 and therefore Class H and Class L do not have annualized return information to report.
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01    [5]
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05    [5]
Average Annual Returns, Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10    [5]
Class L
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of Amount Redeemed) rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption (2.00%)
Advisory Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.21%
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.75%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.28%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 2.24% [3]
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.24%) [3]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 2.00% [3]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 203
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 627
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,078
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,327
Performance One Year or Less [Text] rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess Class H and Class L shares of the Portfolio had not completed a full calendar year of operations as of December 31, 2012 and therefore Class H and Class L do not have annualized return information to report.
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01    [5]
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05    [5]
Average Annual Returns, Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10    [5]
[1] The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Emerging Markets Net Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. The term "free float" represents the portion of shares outstanding that are deemed to be available for purchase in the public equity markets by investors. The MSCI Emerging Markets Net Index currently consists of 21 emerging market country indices. The performance of the Index is listed in U.S. dollars and assumes reinvestment of net dividends. "Net dividends" reflects a reduction in dividends after taking into account withholding of taxes by certain foreign countries represented in the Index. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
[2] The Lipper Emerging Markets Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Emerging Markets Funds classification. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index.
[3] The Portfolio's "Adviser," Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Portfolio so that Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 1.25% for Class I, 1.50% for Class P, 1.50% for Class H and 2.00% for Class L. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursement will continue for at least one year or until such time as the Fund's Board of Directors acts to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when it deems such action is appropriate.
[4] The historical performance of Class P shares has been restated to reflect the current maximum initial sales charge of 5.25%.
[5] Class H and Class L shares of the Portfolio had not completed a full calendar year of operations as of December 31, 2012 and therefore Class H and Class L do not have annualized return information to report. The returns for Class H and Class L shares would be lower than the returns for Class I shares of the Portfolio as expenses of Class H and Class L are higher. Return information for the Portfolio's Class H and Class L shares will be shown in future prospectuses offering the Portfolio's Class H and Class L shares after the Portfolio's Class H and Class L shares have a full calendar year of return information to report.