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Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Frontier Emerging Markets Portfolio
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

The Frontier Emerging Markets Portfolio seeks long-term capital appreciation.

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 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 period of September 14, 2012 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2012, the Portfolio's portfolio turnover rate was 15% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 15.00%
Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text] rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates Other expenses have been estimated 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. 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 seeks to maximize returns by investing primarily in growth-oriented equity securities in frontier emerging markets.


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


Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Portfolio's assets will be invested in equity securities of companies operating in frontier emerging market countries. This policy may be changed without shareholder approval; however, you would be notified in writing of any changes.


The Portfolio may also invest in emerging market securities. The equity securities in which the Portfolio may primarily invest include common and preferred stocks, convertible securities, rights, warrants, depositary receipts, limited partnership interests and other specialty securities having equity features. The Portfolio may hold or have exposure to equity securities of companies of any size, including small and medium capitalization companies, and to companies in any industry or sector. The Portfolio has a fundamental policy (i.e., one that cannot be changed without shareholder approval) of investing 25% or more of its assets in the banking industry. The Adviser generally considers selling an investment when it determines the company no longer satisfies its investment criteria.


The term "frontier emerging markets" refers to those emerging market countries outside the "mainstream" emerging markets, whose capital markets have traditionally been difficult for foreign investors to enter or are in early stages of capital market and/or economic development. Frontier emerging market countries in which the Portfolio currently may invest include Argentina, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Botswana, Bulgaria, Croatia, Ecuador, Estonia, Georgia, Ghana, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam. The countries that comprise frontier emerging markets may change from time to time. The Portfolio may invest in equity securities of companies operating in frontier emerging market countries that exist now and/or in the future.


For purposes of maintaining exposure of at least 80% of the Portfolio's assets to equity securities of companies operating in frontier emerging market countries, the Portfolio may also invest in American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), Global Depositary Receipts ("GDRs") and other types of depositary receipts with respect to companies operating in frontier emerging market countries, securities of other open- and closed-end investment companies, including exchange-traded funds ("ETFs"), and derivative instruments as described herein.


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, contracts for difference ("CFDs"), 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 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. 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 equity security.


•  Small and Medium Capitalization Companies. Investments in small and medium capitalization companies may involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies. The securities issued by small and medium capitalization companies may be less liquid, and such companies may have more limited markets, financial resources and product lines, and may lack the depth of management of larger companies.


•  Frontier Emerging Market Securities. Investing in the securities of issuers operating in frontier emerging markets involves a high degree of risk and special considerations not typically associated with investing in the securities of other foreign or U.S. issuers. In addition, the risks associated with investing in the securities of issuers operating in emerging market countries are magnified when investing in frontier emerging market countries. These types of investments could be affected by factors not usually associated with investments in U.S. issuers, including risks associated with expropriation and/or nationalization, political or social instability, pervasiveness of corruption and crime, armed conflict, the impact on the economy of civil war, religious or ethnic unrest and the withdrawal or non-renewal of any license enabling the Portfolio to trade in securities of a particular country, confiscatory taxation, restrictions on transfers of assets, lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, less publicly available financial and other information, diplomatic development which could affect U.S. investments in those countries and potential difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations. These risks and special considerations make investments in companies operating in frontier emerging market countries highly speculative in nature and, accordingly, an investment in the Portfolio must be viewed as highly speculative in nature and may not be suitable for an investor who is not able to afford the loss of his or her entire investment. To the extent that the Portfolio invests a significant percentage of its assets in a single frontier emerging market country, the Portfolio will be subject to heightened risk associated with investing in frontier emerging market countries and additional risks associated with that particular country. 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.


•  Banking Industry. Investment opportunities in many frontier emerging markets may be concentrated in the banking industry. Based on the Portfolio's investment restriction regarding concentration, the Portfolio, at all times, will be required to invest 25% or more of its total assets in the securities of issuers in the banking industry. As a result, the Portfolio may have a high concentration of investments in the banking industry. The banking industry can be affected by global and local economic conditions, such as the levels and liquidity of the global and local financial and asset markets, the absolute and relative level and volatility of interest rates and equity prices, investor sentiment, inflation, and the availability and cost of credit. Adverse developments in these conditions can have a greater adverse effect on the banking industry of a frontier emerging market economy than on other industries of its economy. Because the Portfolio's investments will be concentrated in the banking industry, factors that have an adverse impact on this industry may have a disproportionate impact on the Portfolio's performance.


•  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 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 Corportion 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

Pursuant to an agreement and plan of reorganization between the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio, and Morgan Stanley Frontier Emerging Markets Fund, Inc. (the "Frontier Predecessor Fund"), on September 17, 2012 the Portfolio acquired all of the assets and liabilities of the Frontier Predecessor Fund in exchange for Class I shares of the Portfolio (the "Reorganization"). As a result of the Reorganization, the Portfolio is the accounting successor of the Frontier Predecessor Fund. The historical performance information shown below reflects, for the period prior to the Reorganization, the historical performance of the Frontier Predecessor Fund. The Frontier Predecessor Fund may have performed differently if it were an open-end fund since closed-end funds are generally not subject to the cash flow fluctuations of an open-end fund.


The bar chart and table on the follwing page 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 year period and since inception 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 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 on the follwing page 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 year period and since inception 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 Footnotes [Text Block] rr_BarChartFootnotesTextBlock

*Performance shown for the Portfolio's Class I shares reflects the performance of the common shares of the Frontier Predecessor Fund for periods prior to September 17, 2012.

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

High Quarter

 

6/30/09

   

32.70

%

 

Low Quarter

 

3/31/09

   

–17.42

%

 
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus Performance shown for the Portfolio's Class I shares reflects the performance of the common shares of the Frontier Predecessor Fund for periods prior to September 17, 2012
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel High Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 32.70%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Low Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Mar. 31, 2009
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (17.42%)
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 Frontier Markets Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 8.85% [1]
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (10.20%) [1]
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Aug. 25, 2008 [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, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 4.30% [2]
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Aug. 25, 2008 [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 1.25%
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 2.06% [3]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 3.31% [4]
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (1.46%) [4]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.85% [4]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 188
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 582
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,001
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,169
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 18.21%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 27.32%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (23.20%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 22.28%
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 22.28% [5]
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (4.92%) [5]
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Aug. 25, 2008 [5]
Class I | After Taxes on Distributions
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 21.93% [5]
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (5.13%) [5]
Class I | After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Portfolio Shares
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 15.03% [5]
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (4.12%) [5]
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 1.25%
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 2.06% [3]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 3.56% [4]
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (1.46%) [4]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 2.10% [4]
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 727
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 1,148
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,595
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,828
Performance One Year or Less [Text] rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess Class P, 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 P, 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, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception    [5]
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Sep. 14, 2012 [5]
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 1.25%
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 2.06% [3]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 3.56% [4]
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (1.46%) [4]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 2.10% [4]
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 678
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 1,102
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,550
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,791
Performance One Year or Less [Text] rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess Class P, 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 P, 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, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception    [5]
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Sep. 14, 2012 [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 1.25%
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.75%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 2.06% [3]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 4.06% [4]
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (1.46%) [4]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 2.60% [4]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 263
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 808
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,380
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,934
Performance One Year or Less [Text] rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess Class P, 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 P, 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, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception    [5]
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Sep. 14, 2012 [5]
[1] The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Frontier Markets Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure equity market performance of frontier markets. The MSCI Frontier Markets Index currently consists of 25 frontier market country indices. The performance of the Index is calculated 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. The Lipper Emerging Markets Funds Classification includes both frontier and emerging market funds. There currently is not a separate Lipper classification which only includes funds focused specifically on frontier markets.
[3] Other expenses have been estimated for the current fiscal year.
[4] 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 1.85% for Class I, 2.10% for Class P, 2.10% for Class H and 2.60% for Class L. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements 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.
[5] Performance shown for the Portfolio's Class I shares reflects the performance of the common shares of the Frontier Predecessor Fund for periods prior to September 17, 2012. Class P, 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 P, Class H and Class L do not have annualized return information to report. The returns for Class P, Class H and Class L shares would be lower than the returns for Class I shares of the Portfolio as expenses of Class P, Class H and Class L are higher. Return information for the Portfolio's Class P, Class H and Class L shares will be shown in future prospectuses offering the Portfolio's Class P, Class H and Class L shares after the Portfolio's Class P, Class H and Class L shares have a full calendar year of return information to report.