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

The International Equity Portfolio (the "Portfolio") seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities of non-U.S. issuers.
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 76 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 most recent fiscal year, the Portfolio's portfolio turnover rate was 29% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 29.00%
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

The Portfolio's "Sub-Advisers," Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited ("MSIM Limited") and Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company ("MSIM Company"), seek long-term capital appreciation by investing in a diversified portfolio of equity securities of non-U.S. issuers based on fundamental analysis and individual stock selection. The Sub-Advisers emphasize a bottom-up approach to investing that seeks to identify attractive businesses they believe are undervalued. The Sub-Advisers focus on developed markets but may invest in emerging markets.


In seeking to identify attractive businesses, the Sub-Advisers typically look for companies with strong market positions or competitive advantages that have the potential to generate more resilient returns, which the Sub-Advisers believe may underpin compounding shareholder wealth. The Sub-Advisers also seek experienced company management teams that have a history of disciplined capital allocation. The Sub-Advisers consider value criteria with an emphasis on cash flow-based metrics and seek to determine the intrinsic value of the company. Securities which appear undervalued according to these criteria are subject to in-depth fundamental analysis.


Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Portfolio's assets will be invested in equity securities. 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 convertible securities.


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, options, swaps, contracts for difference ("CFDs") 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 security.


•  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.


•  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 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 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.


•  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 the derivative instrument relates and risks that the transactions may not be liquid. Certain derivative transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. Leverage magnifies the potential for gain and the risk of loss.


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

The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Portfolio by showing changes in the Portfolio's Class I shares' performance from year-to-year and by showing how the Portfolio's average annual returns for the past one, five and 10 year periods 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 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, as well as an index 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

  

6/30/09

    

18.41

%

  

Low Quarter

  

9/30/11

    

–17.04

%

  
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel High Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 18.41%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Low Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (17.04%)
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)
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO | MSCI EAFE Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (0.81%) [1]
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.60% [1]
Average Annual Returns, Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.03% [1]
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 4.28% [1],[2]
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO | Lipper International Large-Cap Core Funds Index (reflects no deduction for taxes)  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (3.21%) [3]
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.68% [3]
Average Annual Returns, Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 2.51% [3]
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.98% [2],[3]
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY 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 0.21%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.01% [4]
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 0.06% [4]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.95% [4]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 97
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 316
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 552
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,231
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 97
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 316
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 552
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,231
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 22.50%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 9.84%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (33.12%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 21.56%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 6.08%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (7.63%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 19.60%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 20.39%
Annual Return 2014 rr_AnnualReturn2014 (6.08%)
Annual Return 2015 rr_AnnualReturn2015 0.36%
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.36%
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.62%
Average Annual Returns, Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.82%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.44%
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO | CLASS I | After Taxes on Distributions  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (0.33%)
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.15%
Average Annual Returns, Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 2.77%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.02%
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO | CLASS I | After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.74%
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.69%
Average Annual Returns, Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.30%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.01%
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY 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 [5]
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 0.27%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.32% [4]
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 0.02% [4]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.30% [4]
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 650
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 919
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,209
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,030
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 650
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 919
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,209
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 2,030
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (5.29%)
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.20%
Average Annual Returns, Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 2.98%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.10%
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY 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
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 0.75%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.34%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.89% [4]
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 0.09% [4]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.80% [4]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 183
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 585
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,013
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,204
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 183
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 585
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,013
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 2,204
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (0.47%)
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.44%
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY 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% [6]
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 0.95%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 2.75% [4]
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 0.70% [4]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 2.05% [4]
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 $ 308
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 787
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,392
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 3,029
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 208
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 787
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,392
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 3,029
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 [7]
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 [7]
Average Annual Returns, Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 [7]
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception [7]
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY 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 0.11%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.91% [4]
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets none [4]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.91% [4]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 93
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 290
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 504
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,120
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 93
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 290
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 504
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,120
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.40%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 0.56%
[1] The MSCI EAFE Index (Europe, Australasia, Far East) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the international equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the United States and Canada. The term "free float" represents the portion of shares outstanding that are deemed to be available for purchase in the public equity markets by investors. The MSCI EAFE Index currently consists of 21 developed market country indices. The performance of the Index is listed in U.S. dollars and assumes reinvestment of net dividends. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
[2] Since Inception reflects the inception date of Class I.
[3] The Lipper International Large-Cap Core Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper International Large-Cap Core Funds classification. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index.
[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 0.95% for Class I, 1.30% for Class A, 1.80% for Class L, 2.05% for Class C and 0.91% 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.
[5] 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.
[6] 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.
[7] 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.