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

The Global Advantage 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 27 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 90% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 90.00%
Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text] rr_ExpensesRestatedToReflectCurrent The Advisory Fee has been restated to reflect the decrease in the advisory fee effective March 2, 2015.
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 market conditions, the Adviser seeks to achieve the Portfolio's investment objective by investing primarily in established companies located throughout the world, with capitalizations within the range of companies included in the MSCI All Country World 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 to invest in companies with strong name recognition and sustainable competitive advantages. 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 a portfolio holding when it determines that the holding no longer satisfies its investment criteria.


The Portfolio may invest in foreign securities, which may include emerging market securities. Under normal market conditions, the Portfolio typically invests at least 40% of its assets in the securities of issuers located outside of the United States.


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.
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.


•  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.


•  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.


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 and five 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 and five 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

  

3/31/12

    

16.65

%

  

Low Quarter

  

9/30/11

    

–13.48

%

  
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel High Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Mar. 31, 2012
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 16.65%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Low Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (13.48%)
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)
Global Advantage Portfolio | MSCI All Country World Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.36%) [1]
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 6.09% [1]
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.21% [1],[2]
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 28, 2010 [1]
Global Advantage Portfolio | Lipper Global Multi-Cap Growth Funds Index (reflects no deduction for taxes)  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.44% [3]
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 5.93% [3]
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.04% [2],[3]
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 28, 2010 [3]
Global Advantage 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 0.80% [4]
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 4.56%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 5.36% [5]
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 4.26% [5]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.10% [5]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 112
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 1,222
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 2,324
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 5,044
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 112
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 1,222
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 2,324
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 5,044
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 0.34%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 22.83%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 29.71%
Annual Return 2014 rr_AnnualReturn2014 0.83%
Annual Return 2015 rr_AnnualReturn2015 3.85%
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 3.85%
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 10.85%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 10.86%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 28, 2010
Global Advantage Portfolio | Class I | After Taxes on Distributions  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.21%
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 9.36%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.36%
Global Advantage Portfolio | Class I | After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 3.57%
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 8.56%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.56%
Global Advantage 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 0.80% [4]
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 4.86%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 5.91% [5]
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 4.46% [5]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.45% [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 665
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 1,814
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 2,942
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 5,675
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 665
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 1,814
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 2,942
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 5,675
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.00%)
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 9.33%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.34%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 28, 2010
Global Advantage 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 0.80% [4]
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.75%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 5.02%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 6.57% [5]
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 4.62% [5]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.95% [5]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 198
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 1,531
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 2,822
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 5,877
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 198
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 1,531
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 2,822
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 5,877
Average Annual Returns, Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.96%
Average Annual Returns, Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 9.97%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.97%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 28, 2010
Global Advantage 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 0.80% [4]
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 11.04%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 12.84% [5]
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 10.64% [5]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 2.20% [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 $ 323
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 2,660
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 4,730
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 8,641
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 223
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 2,660
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 4,730
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 8,641
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, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception [8]
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 30, 2015 [8]
[1] The MSCI All Country World Index (ACWI) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets. 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. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
[2] Since Inception reflects the inception date of Class I.
[3] The Lipper Global Multi-Cap Growth Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Global Multi-Cap Growth Funds classification. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index.
[4] The Advisory Fee has been restated to reflect the decrease in the advisory fee effective March 2, 2015.
[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 1.10% for Class I, 1.45% for Class A, 1.95% for Class L and 2.20% for Class C. 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.
[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.