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U.S. REAL ESTATE PORTFOLIO  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading U.S. REAL ESTATE PORTFOLIO
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

The U.S. Real Estate Portfolio (the "Portfolio") seeks to provide above average current income and long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities of companies in the U.S. real estate industry, including real estate investment trusts ("REITs").
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 purchases of Class A shares, you may qualify for a sales charge discount if the cumulative net asset value ("NAV") of Class A shares of the Portfolio purchased in a single transaction, together with the NAV of all Class A shares of other portfolios of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") or Class A shares of other Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Funds (as defined in the section of this Prospectus entitled "Shareholder Information—Exchange Privilege") held in Related Accounts (as defined in the section of this Prospectus entitled "Shareholder Information—Sales Charges Applicable to Purchases of Class A Shares"), amounts to $25,000 or more. More information about this combined purchase discount and other discounts is available from your authorized financial intermediary and on page 35 of this Prospectus in the section entitled "Shareholder Information—Sales Charges Applicable to Purchases of Class A Shares."
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesCaption Shareholder Fees (feed 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 24% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 24.00%
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 (except that the example incorporates the fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement arrangement for only the first year). Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearCaption If you SOLD Your Shares:
Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearCaption If you HELD Your Shares:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Portfolio's assets will be invested in equity securities of companies in the U.S. real estate industry. This policy may be changed without shareholder approval; however, you would be notified in writing of any changes. The equity securities in which the Portfolio may invest include common stock, preferred stock, convertible securities, depositary receipts and rights and warrants.


The Adviser seeks a combination of above average current income and long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities of companies in the U.S. real estate industry, including REITs. The Portfolio focuses on REITs as well as real estate operating companies ("REOCs") that invest in a variety of property types and regions.


The Adviser actively manages the Portfolio using a combination of top-down and bottom-up methodologies. The Adviser's proprietary models drive the bottom-up value-driven approach for stock selection. The top-down portion seeks diversified exposure to all major asset classes with an overweighting to property markets that offer the best relative valuation. The bottom-up research process strongly influences the Adviser's perspective on which property markets it believes provide better relative value and growth prospects and, consequently, affects its decision to overweight or underweight a given property market. The Adviser generally considers selling a portfolio holding if the holding's share price shifts to the point where the position no longer represents an attractive relative value opportunity versus the underlying value of its assets and/or growth prospects or versus other securities in the investment universe.
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.


•  Small and Medium Capitalization Companies. Investments in small and medium capitalization companies may involve greater risk 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.


•  REITs and REOCs. Investing in REITs and REOCs exposes investors to the risks of owning real estate directly, as well as to risks that relate specifically to the way in which REITs and REOCs are organized and operated. Operating REITs requires specialized management skills and the Portfolio indirectly bears management expenses along with the direct expenses of the Portfolio. REITs are also subject to certain provisions under federal tax law and the failure of a company to qualify as a REIT could have adverse consequences for the Portfolio.


•  Non-Diversification. Because the Portfolio is non-diversified, it may be more susceptible to an adverse event affecting a portfolio investment than a diversified portfolio and a decline in the value of that instrument would cause the Portfolio's overall value to decline to a greater degree.


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 Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus Because the Portfolio is non-diversified, it may be more susceptible to an adverse event affecting a portfolio investment than a diversified portfolio and a decline in the value of that instrument would cause the Portfolio's overall value to decline to a greater degree.
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 and since inception compare with those of a broad measure of market performance and a comparative sector index, as well as an average 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 A 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 or by calling toll-free (800) 548-7786.
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 and since inception compare with those of a broad measure of market performance and a comparative sector index, as well as an average that represents a group of similar mutual funds, over time.
Performance Availability Phone [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone (800) 548-7786
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 Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

High Quarter

  

9/30/09

    

30.72

%

  

Low Quarter

  

12/31/08

    

–37.93

%

  
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel High Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 30.72%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Low Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (37.93%)
Performance Table Does Reflect Sales Loads rr_PerformanceTableDoesReflectSalesLoads The Portfolio's returns in the table include the maximum applicable sales charge for Class A and assume you sold your shares at the end of each period (unless otherwise noted).
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, 2015)
U.S. REAL ESTATE PORTFOLIO | FTSE NAREIT Equity REITs Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 3.20% [1]
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 11.96% [1]
Average Annual Returns, Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.41% [1]
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 11.17% [1],[2]
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Feb. 24, 1995 [1]
U.S. REAL ESTATE PORTFOLIO | S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.38% [3]
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 12.57% [3]
Average Annual Returns, Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.31% [3]
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.17% [2],[3]
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Feb. 24, 1995 [3]
U.S. REAL ESTATE PORTFOLIO | Lipper Real Estate Funds Average (reflects no deduction for taxes)  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.17% [4]
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 11.03% [4]
Average Annual Returns, Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.61% [4]
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 11.12% [2],[4]
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Feb. 24, 1995 [4]
U.S. REAL ESTATE PORTFOLIO | CLASS I  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage based on the lesser of the offering price or NAV at redemption) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none
Advisory Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.77%
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.21%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.98% [5]
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets none [5]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.98% [5]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 100
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 312
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 542
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,201
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 100
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 312
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 542
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,201
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 38.85%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 (16.63%)
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (38.07%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 29.65%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 29.86%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 5.57%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 16.26%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 2.45%
Annual Return 2014 rr_AnnualReturn2014 30.74%
Annual Return 2015 rr_AnnualReturn2015 2.27%
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.27%
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 10.95%
Average Annual Returns, Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.33%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 12.62%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Feb. 24, 1995
U.S. REAL ESTATE PORTFOLIO | CLASS I | After Taxes on Distributions  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (1.68%)
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 9.17%
Average Annual Returns, Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.20%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.25%
U.S. REAL ESTATE PORTFOLIO | CLASS I | After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 3.94%
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 8.33%
Average Annual Returns, Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.57%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.06%
U.S. REAL ESTATE PORTFOLIO | CLASS A  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 5.25%
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage based on the lesser of the offering price or NAV at redemption) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none [6]
Advisory Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.77%
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.26%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.28% [5]
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets none [5]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.28% [5]
Expenses Deferred Charges [Text Block] rr_ExpensesDeferredChargesTextBlock Investments that are not subject to any sales charges at the time of purchase are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") of 1.00% that will be imposed if you sell your shares within 18 months after the last day of the month of purchase, except for certain specific circumstances. See "Shareholder Information—How to Redeem Portfolio Shares" for further information about the CDSC waiver categories.
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text] rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts For purchases of Class A shares, you may qualify for a sales charge discount if the cumulative net asset value ("NAV") of Class A shares of the Portfolio purchased in a single transaction, together with the NAV of all Class A shares of other portfolios of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") or Class A shares of other Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Funds (as defined in the section of this Prospectus entitled "Shareholder Information—Exchange Privilege") held in Related Accounts (as defined in the section of this Prospectus entitled "Shareholder Information—Sales Charges Applicable to Purchases of Class A Shares"), amounts to $25,000 or more.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount] rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount $ 25,000
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 649
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 910
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,190
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,989
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 649
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 910
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,190
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,989
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (3.34%)
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 9.45%
Average Annual Returns, Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.47%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 11.47%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 02, 1996
U.S. REAL ESTATE PORTFOLIO | Class L  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage based on the lesser of the offering price or NAV at redemption) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none
Advisory Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.77%
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.75%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.30%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.82% [5]
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets none [5]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.82% [5]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 185
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 572
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 985
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,137
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 185
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 572
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 985
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 2,137
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.44%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 11.37%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 11, 2011
U.S. REAL ESTATE PORTFOLIO | Class C  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage based on the lesser of the offering price or NAV at redemption) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther 1.00% [7]
Advisory Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.77%
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 4.12%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 5.89% [5]
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 3.79% [5]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 2.10% [5]
Expenses Deferred Charges [Text Block] rr_ExpensesDeferredChargesTextBlock The Class C CDSC is only applicable if you sell your shares within one year after purchase. See "Shareholder Information—How to Redeem Portfolio Shares" for a complete discussion of the CDSC.
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 313
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 1,414
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 2,595
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 5,454
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 213
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 1,414
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 2,595
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 5,454
Performance One Year or Less [Text] rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess Class C shares of the Portfolio had not completed a full calendar year of operations as of December 31, 2015 and therefore Class C shares do not have annualized return information to report.
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 [8]
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 [8]
Average Annual Returns, Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 [8]
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception [8]
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 30, 2015 [8]
U.S. REAL ESTATE PORTFOLIO | Class IS  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage based on the lesser of the offering price or NAV at redemption) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none
Advisory Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.77%
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.13%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.90% [5]
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets none [5]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.90% [5]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 92
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 287
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 498
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,108
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 92
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 287
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 498
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,108
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.36%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 13.69%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Sep. 13, 2013
[1] The FTSE NAREIT (National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts) Equity REITs Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index of tax-qualified REITs listed on the New York Stock Exchange, NYSE Amex and the NASDAQ National Market Systems. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
[2] Since Inception reflects the inception date of Class I.
[3] The Standard & Poor's 500® Index (S&P 500® Index) measures the performance of the large cap segment of the U.S. equities market, covering approximately 75% of the U.S. equities market. The Index includes 500 leading companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
[4] The Lipper Real Estate Funds Average tracks the performance of all funds in the Lipper Real Estate Funds classification.
[5] 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 1.00% for Class I shares, 1.35% for Class A shares, 1.85% for Class L shares, 2.10% for Class C shares and 0.93% for Class IS shares. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year or until such time that 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.
[6] Investments that are not subject to any sales charges at the time of purchase are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") of 1.00% that will be imposed if you sell your shares within 18 months after the last day of the month of purchase, except for certain specific circumstances. See "Shareholder Information-How to Redeem Portfolio Shares" for further information about the CDSC waiver categories.
[7] The Class C CDSC is only applicable if you sell your shares within one year after purchase. See "Shareholder Information-How to Redeem Portfolio Shares" for a complete discussion of the CDSC.
[8] Class C shares of the Portfolio had not completed a full calendar year of operations as of December 31, 2015 and therefore Class C shares do not have annualized return information to report.