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Asia Opportunity Portfolio  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Asia Opportunity Portfolio
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

The Asia Opportunity Portfolio (the "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 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 28 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 (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 period December 29, 2015 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2015, the Portfolio's portfolio turnover rate was 0% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate none
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 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 market conditions, the Adviser seeks to achieve the Portfolio's investment objective by investing primarily in equity securities of issuers located in Asia (excluding Japan), with capitalizations within the range of companies included in the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index.


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 companies with the potential for strong free cash flow generation and that the Adviser believes are undervalued at the time of purchase. The Adviser typically favors companies it believes have consistent or rising earnings growth records and compelling business strategies. The Adviser generally considers selling a portfolio holding when it determines that the holding no longer satisfies its investment criteria.


Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Portfolio's assets will be invested in equity securities of issuers located in Asia, excluding Japan. This policy may be changed without shareholder approval; however, you would be notified in writing of any changes.


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.


For purposes of maintaining exposure of at least 80% of the Portfolio's assets to equity securities of issuers located in Asia, the Portfolio may also invest in American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), Global Depositary Receipts ("GDRs") and other types of depositary receipts with respect to issuers located in Asia.


The Portfolio invests primarily in securities of companies located in China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand, but additional opportunities are also sought, whenever regulations permit, in any of the developed, emerging, and frontier countries and markets in the Asian region.


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:


•  Asia Market. The small size of securities markets and the low trading volume in many countries in Asia may lead to a lack of liquidity. The share prices of companies in the region tend to be volatile and there is a significant possibility of loss. Many of the countries in the region are developing, both politically and economically, and as a result companies in the region may be subject to risks like nationalization or other forms of government interference, and/or may be heavily reliant on only a few industries or commodities. Investments in the region may also be subject to currency risks, such as restrictions on the flow of money in and out of the country, extreme volatility relative to the U.S. dollar and devaluation, all of which could decrease the value of the Portfolio. Some countries in the region have previously experienced currency devaluations that resulted in higher interest rates, reductions in economic activity and drops in securities prices. In addition, because the Portfolio concentrates in a single region of the world, the Portfolio's performance may be more volatile than that of a fund that invests globally. Consequently, if Asian securities fall out of favor, it may cause the Portfolio to underperform funds that do not concentrate in a single region of the world.


•  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 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. Certain foreign markets may rely heavily on particular industries or foreign capital and are more vulnerable to diplomatic developments, the imposition of economic sanctions against a particular country or countries, organizations, entities and/or individuals, changes in international trading patterns, trade barriers, and other protectionist or retaliatory measures. Economic sanctions could, among other things, effectively restrict or eliminate the Portfolio's ability to purchase or sell securities or groups of securities for a substantial period of time, and may make the Portfolio's investments in such securities harder to value. Investments in foreign markets may also be adversely affected by governmental actions such as the imposition of capital controls, nationalization of companies or industries, expropriation of assets, or the imposition of punitive taxes. The governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investing in their capital markets or in certain sectors or industries. In addition, a foreign government may limit or cause delay in the convertibility or repatriation of its currency which would adversely affect the U.S. dollar value and/or liquidity of investments denominated in that currency. Certain foreign investments may become less liquid in response to market developments or adverse investor perceptions, or become illiquid after purchase by the Portfolio, particularly during periods of market turmoil. When the Portfolio holds illiquid investments, its portfolio may be harder to value. 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 in foreign issuers 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 the use of foreign currency forward exchange contracts, the precise matching of the 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 could reduce or preclude the opportunity for gain if the value of the currency moves 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.


•  Liquidity. The Portfolio's investments in restricted and illiquid securities may entail greater risk than investments in other types of securities. These securities may be more difficult to sell, particularly in times of market turmoil. Additionally, the market for certain investments deemed liquid at the time of purchase may become illiquid under adverse market or economic conditions. Illiquid securities may be more difficult to value. If the Portfolio is forced to sell an illiquid security to fund redemptions or for other cash needs, it may be forced to sell the security at a loss.


•  ETFs. Shares of ETFs have many of the same risks as direct investments in common stocks or bonds and their market value may differ from their NAV because the supply and demand in the market for ETF shares at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the underlying securities. As a shareholder in an ETF, the Portfolio would bear its ratable share of that entity's expenses while continuing to pay its own investment management fees and other expenses. As a result, the Portfolio and its shareholders will, in effect, be absorbing duplicate levels of fees. Lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in it being more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities. Furthermore, disruptions in the markets for the securities underlying ETFs purchased or sold by the Portfolio could result in losses on the Portfolio's investment in ETFs.


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

As of the date hereof, the Portfolio has not yet completed a full calendar year of investment operations. Upon the completion of a full calendar year of investment operations by the Portfolio, this section will include charts that provide some indication of the risks of an investment in the Portfolio, by showing the difference in annual total returns, highest and lowest quarterly returns and average annual total returns (before and after taxes) compared to a benchmark index selected for the Portfolio. Performance information for the Portfolio 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 Upon the completion of a full calendar year of investment operations by the Portfolio, this section will include charts that provide some indication of the risks of an investment in the Portfolio, by showing the difference in annual total returns, highest and lowest quarterly returns and average annual total returns (before and after taxes) compared to a benchmark index selected for the Portfolio.
Performance One Year or Less [Text] rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess As of the date hereof, the Portfolio has not yet completed a full calendar year of investment operations.
Performance Availability Phone [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone (800) 548-7786
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.morganstanley.com/im
Asia Opportunity 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
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of Amount Redeemed) rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption (2.00%)
Advisory Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.80%
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 5.34% [1]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 6.14% [2]
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 5.07% [2]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.07% [2]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 109
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 1,371
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 2,604
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 5,566
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 109
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 1,371
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 2,604
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 5,566
Asia Opportunity 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 [3]
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of Amount Redeemed) rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption (2.00%)
Advisory Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.80%
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 19.13% [1]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 20.18% [2]
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 18.73% [2]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.45% [2]
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 665
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 4,046
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 6,479
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 9,979
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 665
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 4,046
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 6,479
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 9,979
Asia Opportunity 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% [4]
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of Amount Redeemed) rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption (2.00%)
Advisory Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.80%
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 19.13% [1]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 20.93% [2]
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 18.73% [2]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 2.20% [2]
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 $ 323
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 3,868
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 6,444
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 10,046
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 223
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 3,868
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 6,444
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 10,046
Asia Opportunity 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
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of Amount Redeemed) rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption (2.00%)
Advisory Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.80%
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 19.13% [1]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 19.93% [2]
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 18.88% [2]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.05% [2]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 107
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 3,655
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 6,223
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 9,951
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 107
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 3,655
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 6,223
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 9,951
[1] Other Expenses have been estimated for the current fiscal year.
[2] 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 1.10% for Class I, 1.45% for Class A, 2.20% for Class C and 1.05% for Class IS. 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.
[3] 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.
[4] 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.