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Label Element Value
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading SMALL COMPANY GROWTH PORTFOLIO
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

The Small Company Growth Portfolio seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in growth-oriented equity securities of small capitalization companies.

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 Class IS shares of the Portfolio.

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 22% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 22.00%
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

Under normal market conditions, the Adviser seeks to achieve the Portfolio's investment objective by investing primarily in established and emerging companies from a universe comprised of small capitalization companies, most with market capitalizations of generally less than $4 billion.


Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Portfolio's assets will be invested in equity securities of small capitalization companies. This policy may be changed without shareholder approval; however, you would be notified in writing of any changes. A company is considered to be a small capitalization company if it has a total market capitalization at the time of purchase of $4 billion or less.


The Adviser emphasizes a bottom-up stock selection process, seeking attractive investments on an individual company basis. In selecting securities for investment, the Adviser seeks to invest in high quality companies it believes have sustainable competitive advantages and the ability to redeploy capital at high rates of return. The Adviser typically favors companies with rising returns on invested capital, above average business visibility, strong free cash flow generation and an attractive risk/reward. The Adviser generally considers selling an investment when it determines the company no longer satisfies its investment criteria.


The Portfolio's equity investments may include common and preferred stocks, convertible securities and equity-linked securities, rights and warrants to purchase common stocks, depositary receipts, exchange-traded funds ("ETFs"), limited partnership interests and other specialty securities having equity features. The Portfolio may invest in privately placed and restricted securities.


The Adviser may invest up to 25% of the Portfolio's net assets in foreign securities, including emerging market securities, and securities classified as American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), Global Depositary Receipts ("GDRs"), American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") or Global Depositary Shares ("GDSs"), foreign U.S. dollar-denominated securities that are traded on a U.S. exchange or local shares of non-U.S. issuers.


The Portfolio may utilize foreign currency forward exchange contracts, which are derivatives, in connection with its investments in foreign securities.

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.


•  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.


•  Small Cap Companies. Investments in small cap companies may involve greater risks than those associated with larger, more established companies. The securities issued by small cap 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.


•  Privately Placed and Restricted Securities. The Portfolio's investments may also include privately placed securities, which are subject to resale restrictions. These securities will have the effect of increasing the level of Portfolio illiquidity to the extent the Portfolio may be unable to sell or transfer these securities due to restrictions on transfers or on the ability to find buyers interested in purchasing the securities. The illiquidity of the market, as well as the lack of publicly available information regarding these securities, may also adversely affect the ability to arrive at a fair value for certain securities at certain times and could make it difficult for the Portfolio to sell certain securities.


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 Class IS shares will differ because the Class IS shares 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 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 (Class I)*
Bar Chart Footnotes [Text Block] rr_BarChartFootnotesTextBlock

High Quarter

 

6/30/09

   

25.00

%

 

Low Quarter

 

12/31/08

   

–23.08

%

 
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

*  Class I shares are not offered in this Prospectus. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund had not commenced offering Class IS shares of the Portfolio. Class IS shares would have substantially similar annual returns because the shares are invested in the same portfolio of securities and the annual returns would differ only to the extent that the Classes do not have the same expenses. The returns for Class IS shares are expected to be higher than the returns for Class I shares of the Portfolio as expenses of Class IS are estimated to be lower. Return information for the Portfolio's Class IS shares will be shown in future prospectuses offering the Portfolio's Class IS shares after the Portfolio's Class IS shares have a full calendar year of return information to report.

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text] rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus Class I shares are not offered in this Prospectus.
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel High Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 25.00%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Low Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (23.08%)
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 Class IS shares 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 Class IS shares 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)
Russell 2000® Growth Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 14.59% [1]
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.49% [1]
Average Annual Returns, Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 9.80% [1]
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.74% [1]
Lipper Small-Cap Growth Funds Index (reflects no deduction for taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 14.95% [2]
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.09% [2]
Average Annual Returns, Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 8.56% [2]
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.58% [2]
Class IS
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of Amount Redeemed) rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption (2.00%)
Advisory Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.90%
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.13% [3]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.03% [4]
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.05%) [4]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.98% [4]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 100
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 $ 312
Performance One Year or Less [Text] rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund had not commenced offering Class IS shares of the Portfolio.
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]
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception    [5]
CLASS I
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Annual Return 2003 rr_AnnualReturn2003 44.13%
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 19.17%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 13.55%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 11.90%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 3.04%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (41.84%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 47.92%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 27.20%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (9.12%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 17.10%
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 17.10% [5]
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.09% [5]
Average Annual Returns, Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 10.10% [5]
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 10.67% [5]
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 01, 1989 [5]
CLASS I | After Taxes on Distributions
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 16.28% [5]
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.85% [5]
Average Annual Returns, Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 9.53% [5]
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.36% [5]
CLASS I | After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Portfolio Shares
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 12.06% [5]
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.62% [5]
Average Annual Returns, Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 8.89% [5]
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.19% [5]
[1] The Russell 2000® Growth Index measures the performance of the small-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 2000® Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. The Russell 2000® Index is a subset of the Russell 3000® Index representing approximately 10% of the total market capitalization of that index. It includes approximately 2,000 of the smallest securities based on a combination of their market capitalization and current index membership. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
[2] The Lipper Small-Cap Growth Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Small-Cap Growth Funds classification. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index.
[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 0.98% for Class IS. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year or until such time as the Board of Directors of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") acts to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when it deems such action is appropriate.
[5] Class I shares are not offered in this Prospectus. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund had not commenced offering Class IS shares of the Portfolio. Class IS shares would have substantially similar annual returns because the shares are invested in the same portfolio of securities and the annual returns would differ only to the extent that the Classes do not have the same expenses. The returns for Class IS shares are expected to be higher than the returns for Class I shares of the Portfolio as expenses of Class IS are estimated to be lower. Return information for the Portfolio's Class IS shares will be shown in future prospectuses offering the Portfolio's Class IS shares after the Portfolio's Class IS shares have a full calendar year of return information to report.