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(MSIF - Advantage Portfolios) | (Advantage Portfolio)  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Advantage Portfolio (the “Fund”) 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, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay fees other than the fees and expenses of the Fund, such as brokerage commissions and other fees charged by financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.
For purchases of Class A shares, you may qualify for a sales charge discount if the cumulative net asset value per share (“NAV”) of Class A shares of the Fund being purchased in a single transaction, together with the NAV of any Class A, Class L and Class C shares of the Fund already held in Related Accounts (as defined in the section of the Prospectus entitled “Shareholder Information—Sales Charges Applicable to Purchases of Class A Shares”) as of the date of the transaction as well as Class A, Class L and Class C shares of any other Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund excluding Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Short Duration Income, Ultra-Short Income and Ultra-Short Municipal Income Portfolios (as defined in the section of the Prospectus entitled “Shareholder Information—Exchange Privilege”) and including shares of Morgan Stanley Money Market Funds (as defined in the section of the Prospectus entitled “Shareholder Information—Exchange Privilege”) that you acquired in an exchange of Class A, Class L or Class C shares of the Fund or Class A, Class L or Class C shares of another Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund excluding Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Short Duration Income, Ultra-Short Income and Ultra-Short Municipal Income Portfolios already held in Related Accounts as of the date of the transaction, amounts to $50,000 or more. More information about this combined purchase discount and other discounts is available from your authorized financial intermediary, on page 29 of the Prospectus in the section entitled “Shareholder Information—Sales Charges Applicable to Purchases of Class A Shares” and in Appendix A attached to the Prospectus.
Class I shares may be available on brokerage platforms of firms that have agreements with the Fund’s principal underwriter permitting such firms to (i) offer Class I shares solely when acting as an agent for the investor and (ii) impose on an investor transacting in Class I shares through such platforms a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker. Shares of the Fund are available in other share classes that have different fees and expenses.
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 per share (“NAV”) of Class A shares of the Fund being purchased in a single transaction, together with the NAV of any Class A, Class L and Class C shares of the Fund already held in Related Accounts (as defined in the section of the Prospectus entitled “Shareholder Information—Sales Charges Applicable to Purchases of Class A Shares”) as of the date of the transaction as well as Class A, Class L and Class C shares of any other Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund excluding Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Short Duration Income, Ultra-Short Income and Ultra-Short Municipal Income Portfolios (as defined in the section of the Prospectus entitled “Shareholder Information—Exchange Privilege”) and including shares of Morgan Stanley Money Market Funds (as defined in the section of the Prospectus entitled “Shareholder Information—Exchange Privilege”) that you acquired in an exchange of Class A, Class L or Class C shares of the Fund or Class A, Class L or Class C shares of another Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund excluding Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Short Duration Income, Ultra-Short Income and Ultra-Short Municipal Income Portfolios already held in Related Accounts as of the date of the transaction, amounts to $50,000 or more.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount] rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount $ 50,000
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesCaption Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
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 Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The example below assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund, your investment has a 5% return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same (except that the example incorporates the fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement arrangement for only the first year). After eight years, Class C shares of the Fund generally will convert automatically to Class A shares of the Fund. The example for Class C shares reflects the conversion to Class A shares after eight years. Please refer to the section of the Prospectus entitled “Shareholder Information—Conversion Features” for more information. 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
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund 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 Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 69% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 69.00%
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
Under normal market conditions, the Adviser seeks to achieve the Fund’s investment objective by investing primarily in established companies with capitalizations within the range of companies included in the Russell 1000® Growth Index. As of December 31, 2021, these market capitalizations ranged between $181.2 million and $2.7 trillion.
The Adviser emphasizes a bottom-up stock selection process, seeking attractive investments on an individual company basis. In selecting securities for investment, the Adviser typically invests in companies it believes have strong name recognition and sustainable competitive advantages with above average business visibility, the ability to deploy capital at high rates of return, strong balance sheets and an attractive risk/reward.
The Adviser actively integrates sustainability into the investment process by using environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors as a lens for additional fundamental research, which can contribute to investment decision-making. The Adviser seeks to understand how environmental and social initiatives within companies can create value by strengthening durable competitive advantages, creating growth opportunities, driving profitability and/or aligning with secular growth trends. The Adviser generally engages with company management teams to discuss their ESG practices, with the aim of identifying how sustainability themes present opportunities and risks that can be material to the value of the security over the long-term. Other aspects of the investment process include a proprietary, systematic evaluation of governance policies, specifically focusing on compensation alignment on long-
term value creation. Although consideration of ESG factors is incorporated into the investment process, it is only one of many tools the Adviser utilizes to make investment decisions.
The Fund may invest in foreign securities, which may include emerging market securities.
The Fund may invest in equity securities. The Fund may also 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 Fund will achieve its investment objective, and you can lose money investing in this Fund. The principal risks of investing in the Fund 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.
•
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, less stringent investor protections and disclosure standards, 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 that 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, companies, entities and/or individuals, changes in international trading patterns, trade barriers and other protectionist or retaliatory measures. 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 Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil. When the Fund holds illiquid investments, its portfolio may be harder to value. The risks of investing in emerging market countries are greater than the risks associated with investments in foreign developed countries. Certain emerging market countries may be subject to less stringent requirements regarding accounting, auditing, financial reporting and record keeping and therefore, material information related to an investment may not be available or reliable. In addition, the Fund is limited in its ability to exercise its legal rights or enforce a counterparty’s legal obligations in certain jurisdictions outside of the United States, in particular, in emerging markets countries. In addition, the Fund’s investments in foreign issuers may be denominated in foreign currencies and therefore, to the extent unhedged, the value of those investments will fluctuate with 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 may reduce or preclude the opportunity for gain if the value of the currency should move in the direction opposite to the position taken and that foreign currency forward exchange contracts create exposure to currencies in which the Fund’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. Economic sanctions or other similar measures may be, and have been, imposed against certain countries, organizations, companies, entities and/or individuals. Economic sanctions and other similar measures could, among other things, effectively restrict or eliminate the Fund’s ability to purchase or sell securities, negatively impact the value or liquidity of the Fund’s investments, significantly delay or prevent the settlement of the Fund’s securities transactions, force the Fund to sell or otherwise dispose of investments at inopportune times or prices, or impair the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective or invest in accordance with its investment strategies.
•
Liquidity. The Fund may make investments that are illiquid or restricted or that may become less liquid in response to overall economic conditions or adverse investor perceptions, and which may entail greater risk than investments in other types of securities. These investments may be more difficult to value or sell, particularly in times of market turmoil, and there may be little trading in the secondary market available for particular securities. If the Fund is forced to sell an illiquid or restricted security to fund redemptions or for other cash needs, it may be forced to sell the security at a loss or for less than its fair value.
•
Private Placements and Restricted Securities. The Fund’s investments may include privately placed securities, which are subject to resale restrictions. These securities could have the effect of increasing the level of Fund illiquidity to the extent the Fund may be unable to sell or transfer these securities due to restrictions on transfers or on the ability to find buyers interested in purchasing the
securities. Additionally, the market for certain investments deemed liquid at the time of purchase may become illiquid under adverse market or economic conditions.
•
Focused Investing. To the extent that the Fund invests in a limited number of issuers, the Fund will be more susceptible to negative events affecting those issuers and a decline in the value of a particular instrument may cause the Fund’s overall value to decline to a greater degree than if the Fund were invested more widely.
•
Market and Geopolitical Risk. The value of your investment in the Fund is based on the values of the Fund’s investments, which may change due to economic and other events that affect markets generally, as well as those that affect particular regions, countries, industries, companies or governments. These events may be sudden and unexpected, and could adversely affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments, which may in turn impact valuation, the Fund’s ability to sell securities and/or its ability to meet redemptions. The risks associated with these developments may be magnified if certain social, political, economic and other conditions and events (such as war, natural disasters, epidemics and pandemics, terrorism, conflicts and social unrest) adversely interrupt the global economy and financial markets. It is difficult to predict when events affecting the U.S. or global financial markets may occur, the effects that such events may have and the duration of those effects (which may last for extended periods). These events may negatively impact broad segments of businesses and populations and have a significant and rapid negative impact on the performance of the Fund’s investments, adversely affect and increase the volatility of the Fund’s share price and exacerbate pre-existing risks to the Fund.
Shares of the Fund 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 Fund will achieve its investment objective, and you can lose money investing in this Fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution Shares of the Fund 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
Pursuant to an agreement and plan of reorganization between the Company, on behalf of the Fund, and Van Kampen Equity Trust II, on behalf of the Van Kampen Core Growth Fund (the “Predecessor Fund”), on May 21, 2010 the Fund acquired substantially all of the assets and substantially all of the liabilities of the Predecessor Fund in exchange for Class I and Class L shares of the Fund (the “Reorganization”). Pursuant to the Reorganization, Class C and Class I shareholders of the Predecessor Fund received Class L and Class I shares, respectively, of the Fund. As a result of the Reorganization, the Fund is the accounting successor of the Predecessor Fund. The historical performance information shown below reflects, for the period prior to the Reorganization, the historical performance of the Class C and Class I shares of the Predecessor Fund.
The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s Class I shares’ performance from year-to-year and by showing how the Fund’s average annual returns for the past one, five and ten 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 Fund’s returns in the table include the maximum applicable sales charge for Class A and Class C and assume you sold your shares at the end of each period (unless otherwise noted). The Fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund 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 Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s Class I shares’ performance from year-to-year and by showing how the Fund’s average annual returns for the past one, five and ten 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 Fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Annual Total Returns—Calendar Years
Performance Table Does Reflect Sales Loads rr_PerformanceTableDoesReflectSalesLoads The Fund’s returns in the table include the maximum applicable sales charge for Class A and Class C and assume you sold your shares at the end of each period (unless otherwise noted).
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 Fund 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 Fund’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 Fund shares been sold at the end of the relevant periods, as applicable.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
High Quarter
06/30/20
46.33%
Low Quarter
12/31/18
-12.96%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns1(for the calendar periods ended December 31, 2021) [1]
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 Fund’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 Fund 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 Fund shares been sold at the end of the relevant periods, as applicable.
(MSIF - Advantage Portfolios) | (Advantage Portfolio) | Russell 1000® Growth Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 27.60% [2]
Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 25.32% [2]
Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 19.79% [2]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.21% [2],[3]
(MSIF - Advantage Portfolios) | (Advantage Portfolio) | Lipper Large-Cap Growth Funds Index (reflects no deduction for taxes)  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 22.36% [4]
Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 24.34% [4]
Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 18.51% [4]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 13.50% [3],[4]
(MSIF - Advantage Portfolios) | (Advantage Portfolio) | Class I  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.64% [5]
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.24% [6]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.88% [7]
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 0.03% [7]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.85% [7]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 87
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 278
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 485
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,082
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 87
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 278
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 485
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,082
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 16.38%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 37.11%
Annual Return 2014 rr_AnnualReturn2014 7.43%
Annual Return 2015 rr_AnnualReturn2015 12.56%
Annual Return 2016 rr_AnnualReturn2016 2.82%
Annual Return 2017 rr_AnnualReturn2017 32.06%
Annual Return 2018 rr_AnnualReturn2018 3.74%
Annual Return 2019 rr_AnnualReturn2019 26.60%
Annual Return 2020 rr_AnnualReturn2020 74.79%
Annual Return 2021 rr_AnnualReturn2021 (4.45%)
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel High Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 46.33%
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2020
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Low Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (12.96%)
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2018
Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.45%) [8]
Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 23.70% [8]
Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 19.11% [8]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.20% [8]
(MSIF - Advantage Portfolios) | (Advantage Portfolio) | Class I | Return After Taxes on Distributions  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (9.65%) [8],[9]
Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 21.09% [8],[9]
Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 17.20% [8],[9]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 13.76% [8],[9]
(MSIF - Advantage Portfolios) | (Advantage Portfolio) | Class I | Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (0.51%) [8]
Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 18.83% [8]
Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 15.74% [8]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 12.65% [8]
(MSIF - Advantage Portfolios) | (Advantage Portfolio) | Class A  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 5.25%
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none [10]
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.64% [5]
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.25% [6]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.14% [7]
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets none [7]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.14% [7]
Expenses Deferred Charges [Text Block] rr_ExpensesDeferredChargesTextBlock
Investments in Class A shares 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 12 months, except for certain specific circumstances. See “Shareholder Information—How To Redeem Fund Shares” for further information about the CDSC waiver categories.
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 635
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 868
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,120
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,838
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 635
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 868
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,120
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,838
Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (9.73%)
Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 21.99%
Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 18.09%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 17.81%
(MSIF - Advantage Portfolios) | (Advantage Portfolio) | Class L  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.64% [5]
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.75%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.26% [6]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.65% [7]
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 0.71% [7],[11]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.94% [7]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 96
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 451
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 830
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,895
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 96
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 451
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 830
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,895
Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.54%) [8]
Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 23.58% [8]
Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 19.00% [8]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.07% [8]
(MSIF - Advantage Portfolios) | (Advantage Portfolio) | Class C  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther 1.00% [12]
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.64% [5]
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.20% [6]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.84% [7]
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets none [7]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.84% [7]
Expenses Deferred Charges [Text Block] rr_ExpensesDeferredChargesTextBlock
The Class C CDSC is only applicable if you sell your shares within one year after the last day of the month of purchase. See “Shareholder Information—How To Redeem Fund Shares” for a complete discussion of the CDSC.
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 287
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 579
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 995
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,975
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 187
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 579
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 995
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,975
Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (6.16%)
Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 22.45%
Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 17.36%
(MSIF - Advantage Portfolios) | (Advantage Portfolio) | Class R6  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.64% [5]
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.13% [6]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.77% [7]
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets none [7]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.77% [7]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 79
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 246
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 428
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 954
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 79
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 246
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 428
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 954
Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.36%)
Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 23.78%
Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 18.76%
(MSIF - Advantage Portfolios) | (International Advantage Portfolio)  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The International Advantage Portfolio (the “Fund”) 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, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay fees other than the fees and expenses of the Fund, such as brokerage commissions and other fees charged by financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.
For purchases of Class A shares, you may qualify for a sales charge discount if the cumulative net asset value per share (“NAV”) of Class A shares of the Fund being purchased in a single transaction, together with the NAV of any Class A, Class L and Class C shares of the Fund already held in Related Accounts (as defined in the section of the Prospectus entitled “Shareholder Information—Sales Charges Applicable to Purchases of Class A Shares”) as of the date of the transaction as well as Class A, Class L and Class C shares of any other Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund excluding Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Short Duration Income, Ultra-Short Income and Ultra-Short Municipal Income Portfolios (as defined in the section of the Prospectus entitled “Shareholder Information—Exchange Privilege”) and including shares of Morgan Stanley Money Market Funds (as defined in the section of the Prospectus entitled “Shareholder Information—Exchange Privilege”) that you acquired in an exchange of Class A, Class L or Class C shares of the Fund or Class A, Class L or Class C shares of another Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund excluding Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Short Duration Income, Ultra-Short Income and Ultra-Short Municipal Income Portfolios already held in Related Accounts as of the date of the transaction, amounts to $50,000 or more. More information about this combined purchase discount and other discounts is available from your authorized financial intermediary, on page 29 of the Prospectus in the section entitled “Shareholder Information—Sales Charges Applicable to Purchases of Class A Shares” and in Appendix A attached to the Prospectus.
Class I shares may be available on brokerage platforms of firms that have agreements with the Fund’s principal underwriter permitting such firms to (i) offer Class I shares solely when acting as an agent for the investor and (ii) impose on an investor transacting in Class I shares through such platforms a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker. Shares of the Fund are available in other share classes that have different fees and expenses.
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 per share (“NAV”) of Class A shares of the Fund being purchased in a single transaction, together with the NAV of any Class A, Class L and Class C shares of the Fund already held in Related Accounts (as defined in the section of the Prospectus entitled “Shareholder Information—Sales Charges Applicable to Purchases of Class A Shares”) as of the date of the transaction as well as Class A, Class L and Class C shares of any other Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund excluding Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Short Duration Income, Ultra-Short Income and Ultra-Short Municipal Income Portfolios (as defined in the section of the Prospectus entitled “Shareholder Information—Exchange Privilege”) and including shares of Morgan Stanley Money Market Funds (as defined in the section of the Prospectus entitled “Shareholder Information—Exchange Privilege”) that you acquired in an exchange of Class A, Class L or Class C shares of the Fund or Class A, Class L or Class C shares of another Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund excluding Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Short Duration Income, Ultra-Short Income and Ultra-Short Municipal Income Portfolios already held in Related Accounts as of the date of the transaction, amounts to $50,000 or more.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount] rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount $ 50,000
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesCaption Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
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 Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The example below assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund, your investment has a 5% return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same (except that the example incorporates the fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement arrangement for only the first year). After eight years, Class C shares of the Fund generally will convert automatically to Class A shares of the Fund. The example for Class C shares reflects the conversion to Class A shares after eight years. Please refer to the section of the Prospectus entitled “Shareholder Information—Conversion Features” for more information. 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
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
The Fund 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 Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 22% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 22.00%
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
Under normal market conditions, the Adviser seeks to achieve the Fund’s investment objective by investing primarily in established companies on an international basis, with capitalizations within the range of companies included in the MSCI All Country World ex USA 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 high quality established companies that the Adviser believes are undervalued at the time of purchase. The Adviser typically favors companies it believes have sustainable competitive advantages that can be monetized through growth. The investment process integrates analysis of sustainability with respect to disruptive change, financial strength, environmental and social externalities and governance (also referred to as ESG). The Adviser generally considers selling a portfolio holding when it determines that the holding no longer satisfies its investment criteria.
The Adviser views incorporating ESG-related potential risks and opportunities within the investment process as important to ensure long-term stewardship of capital. Over extended time horizons, the Adviser believes that ESG risks are more likely to materialize and externalities not borne by the company are more likely to be priced into the value of securities. Since ESG risks could potentially impact the risk and reward profile of investment opportunities, the Adviser typically engages company management in constructive discussions on a range of ESG issues the Adviser deems materially important.
The Fund may invest in equity securities. The Fund may also invest in privately placed and restricted securities.
The Fund may invest in China A-Shares (shares of publicly traded companies based in mainland China) listed and traded on the Shanghai Stock Exchange through the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect program, as well as China A-Shares listed and traded on the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect program (collectively, “Stock Connect”).
The Fund may invest in foreign securities, which may include emerging market securities. Under normal market conditions, the Fund typically invests at least 80% of its assets in the securities of issuers located outside of the United States. For purposes of maintaining exposure of at least 80% of the Fund’s assets to equity securities of issuers located or operating outside the United States, the Fund may also invest in American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) and other types of depositary receipts with respect to issuers located or operating outside the United States.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective, and you can lose money investing in this Fund. The principal risks of investing in the Fund 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.
•
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, less stringent investor protections and disclosure standards, 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 that 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, companies, entities and/or individuals, changes in international trading patterns, trade barriers and other protectionist or retaliatory measures. 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 Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil. When the Fund holds illiquid investments, its portfolio may be harder to value. The risks of investing in emerging market countries are greater than the risks associated with investments in foreign developed countries. Certain emerging market countries may be subject to less stringent requirements regarding accounting, auditing, financial reporting and record keeping and therefore, material information related to an investment may not be available or reliable. In addition, the Fund is limited in its ability to exercise its legal rights or enforce a counterparty’s legal obligations in certain jurisdictions outside of the United States, in particular, in emerging markets countries. In addition, the Fund’s investments in foreign issuers may be denominated in foreign currencies and therefore, to the extent unhedged, the value of those investments will fluctuate with 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 may reduce or preclude the opportunity for gain if the value of the currency should move in the direction opposite to the position taken and that foreign currency forward exchange contracts create exposure to currencies in which the Fund’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. Economic sanctions or other similar measures may be, and have been, imposed against certain countries, organizations, companies, entities and/or individuals. Economic sanctions and other similar measures could, among other things, effectively restrict or eliminate the Fund’s ability to purchase or sell securities, negatively impact the value or liquidity of the Fund’s investments, significantly delay or prevent the settlement of the Fund’s securities transactions, force the Fund to sell or otherwise dispose of investments at inopportune times or prices, or impair the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective or invest in accordance with its investment strategies.
•
Liquidity. The Fund may make investments that are illiquid or restricted or that may become less liquid in response to overall economic conditions or adverse investor perceptions, and which may entail greater risk than investments in other types of securities. These investments may be more difficult to value or sell, particularly in times of market turmoil, and there may be little trading in the secondary market available for particular securities. If the Fund is forced to sell an illiquid or restricted security to fund redemptions or for other cash needs, it may be forced to sell the security at a loss or for less than its fair value.
•
Private Placements and Restricted Securities. The Fund’s investments may include privately placed securities, which are subject to resale restrictions. These securities could have the effect of increasing the level of Fund illiquidity to the extent the Fund may be unable to sell or transfer these securities due to restrictions on transfers or on the ability to find buyers interested in purchasing the securities. Additionally, the market for certain investments deemed liquid at the time of purchase may become illiquid under adverse market or economic conditions.
•
China Risk. Investments in securities of Chinese issuers, including A-shares, involve risks associated with investments in foreign markets as well as special considerations not typically associated with investments in the U.S. securities markets. For example, the Chinese government has historically exercised substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through administrative regulation and/or state ownership and actions of the Chinese central and local government authorities continue to have a substantial effect on economic conditions in China. In addition, the Chinese government has taken actions that influenced the prices at which certain goods may be sold, encouraged companies to invest or concentrate in particular industries, induced mergers between companies in certain industries and induced private companies to publicly offer their securities. Investments in China involve risk of a total loss due to government action or inaction. Additionally, the Chinese economy is export-driven and highly reliant on trade. Adverse changes to the economic conditions of its primary trading partners, such as the United States, Japan and South Korea, would adversely impact the Chinese economy and the Fund’s investments. Moreover, a slowdown in other significant economies of the world, such as the United States, the European Union and certain Asian countries, may adversely affect economic growth in China. An economic downturn in China would adversely impact the Fund’s investments. In addition, certain securities are, or may in the future, become restricted, and the Fund may be forced to sell such restricted securities and incur a loss as a result.
 
Risks of Investing through Stock Connect. The Fund may invest in A-shares listed and traded through Stock Connect, or on such other stock exchanges in China which participate in Stock Connect from time to time or in the future. Trading through Stock Connect is subject to a number of restrictions that may affect the Fund’s investments and returns. Moreover, Stock Connect A-shares generally may not be sold, purchased or otherwise transferred other than through Stock Connect in accordance with applicable rules. The Stock Connect program is a relatively new program and may be subject to further interpretation and guidance. There can be no assurance as to the program’s continued existence or whether future developments regarding the program may restrict or adversely affect the Fund’s investments or returns.
•
Focused Investing. To the extent that the Fund invests in a limited number of issuers, the Fund will be more susceptible to negative events affecting those issuers and a decline in the value of a particular instrument may cause the Fund’s overall value to decline to a greater degree than if the Fund were invested more widely.
•
Market and Geopolitical Risk. The value of your investment in the Fund is based on the values of the Fund’s investments, which may change due to economic and other events that affect markets generally, as well as those that affect particular regions, countries, industries, companies or governments. These events may be sudden and unexpected, and could adversely affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments, which may in turn impact valuation, the Fund’s ability to sell securities and/or its ability to meet redemptions. The risks associated with these developments may be magnified if certain social, political, economic and other conditions and events (such as war, natural disasters, epidemics and pandemics, terrorism, conflicts and social unrest) adversely interrupt the global economy and financial markets. It is difficult to predict when events affecting the U.S. or global financial markets may occur, the effects that such events may have and the duration of those effects (which may last for extended periods). These events may negatively impact broad segments of businesses and populations and have a significant and rapid negative impact on the performance of the Fund’s investments, adversely affect and increase the volatility of the Fund’s share price and exacerbate pre-existing risks to the Fund.
Shares of the Fund 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 Fund will achieve its investment objective, and you can lose money investing in this Fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution Shares of the Fund 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 Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s Class I shares’ performance from year-to-year and by showing how the Fund’s average annual returns for the past one, five and ten 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 Fund’s returns in the table include the maximum applicable sales charge for Class A and Class C and assume you sold your shares at the end of each period (unless otherwise noted). The Fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at www.morganstanley.com/im or by calling toll-free 1-800-548-7786.
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 Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s Class I shares’ performance from year-to-year and by showing how the Fund’s average annual returns for the past one, five and ten 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 1-800-548-7786
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.morganstanley.com/im
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The Fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Annual Total Returns—Calendar Years
Performance Table Does Reflect Sales Loads rr_PerformanceTableDoesReflectSalesLoads The Fund’s returns in the table include the maximum applicable sales charge for Class A and Class C and assume you sold your shares at the end of each period (unless otherwise noted).
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 Fund 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 Fund’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 Fund shares been sold at the end of the relevant periods, as applicable.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
High Quarter
06/30/20
19.40%
Low Quarter
03/31/20
-14.03%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns(for the calendar periods ended December 31, 2021)
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 Fund’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 Fund 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 Fund shares been sold at the end of the relevant periods, as applicable.
(MSIF - Advantage Portfolios) | (International Advantage Portfolio) | MSCI All Country World ex USA Net Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 7.82% [13]
Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 9.61% [13]
Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.28% [13]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.28% [13],[14]
(MSIF - Advantage Portfolios) | (International Advantage Portfolio) | Lipper International Multi-Cap Growth Funds Index (reflects no deduction for taxes)  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 8.28% [15]
Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 11.44% [15]
Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 8.70% [15]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.43% [14],[15]
(MSIF - Advantage Portfolios) | (International Advantage Portfolio) | Class I  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.76% [16]
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.21% [17]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.97% [18]
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets none [18]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.97% [18]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 99
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 309
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 536
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,190
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 99
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 309
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 536
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,190
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 21.27%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 12.72%
Annual Return 2014 rr_AnnualReturn2014 2.58%
Annual Return 2015 rr_AnnualReturn2015 10.23%
Annual Return 2016 rr_AnnualReturn2016 2.47%
Annual Return 2017 rr_AnnualReturn2017 44.75%
Annual Return 2018 rr_AnnualReturn2018 (5.19%)
Annual Return 2019 rr_AnnualReturn2019 30.09%
Annual Return 2020 rr_AnnualReturn2020 32.33%
Annual Return 2021 rr_AnnualReturn2021 13.16%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel High Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 19.40%
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2020
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Low Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (14.03%)
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Mar. 31, 2020
Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 13.16%
Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 21.73%
Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 15.53%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 13.86%
(MSIF - Advantage Portfolios) | (International Advantage Portfolio) | Class I | Return After Taxes on Distributions  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 12.89% [19]
Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 21.46% [19]
Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 14.69% [19]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 13.07% [19]
(MSIF - Advantage Portfolios) | (International Advantage Portfolio) | Class I | Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 7.97%
Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 17.79%
Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 12.76%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 11.37%
(MSIF - Advantage Portfolios) | (International Advantage Portfolio) | Class A  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 5.25%
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none [20]
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.76% [16]
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.25% [17]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.26% [18]
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets none [18]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.26% [18]
Expenses Deferred Charges [Text Block] rr_ExpensesDeferredChargesTextBlock
Investments in Class A shares 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 12 months, except for certain specific circumstances. See “Shareholder Information—How To Redeem Fund Shares” for further information about the CDSC waiver categories.
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 647
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 904
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,180
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,968
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 647
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 904
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,180
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,968
Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 6.95%
Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 20.05%
Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 14.56%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 12.97%
(MSIF - Advantage Portfolios) | (International Advantage Portfolio) | Class L  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.76% [16]
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.75%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.78% [17]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 2.29% [18]
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 0.44% [18]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.85% [18]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 188
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 673
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,185
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,592
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 188
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 673
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,185
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 2,592
Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 12.21%
Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 20.69%
Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 14.58%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 12.93%
(MSIF - Advantage Portfolios) | (International Advantage Portfolio) | Class C  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther 1.00% [21]
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.76% [16]
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.20% [17]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.96% [18]
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets none [18]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.96% [18]
Expenses Deferred Charges [Text Block] rr_ExpensesDeferredChargesTextBlock
The Class C CDSC is only applicable if you sell your shares within one year after the last day of the month of purchase. See “Shareholder Information—How To Redeem Fund Shares” for a complete discussion of the CDSC.
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 299
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 615
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,057
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,104
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 199
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 615
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,057
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 2,104
Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 11.06%
Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 20.48%
Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 14.76%
(MSIF - Advantage Portfolios) | (International Advantage Portfolio) | Class R6  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.76% [16]
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.11% [17]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.87% [18]
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets none [18]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.87% [18]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 89
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 278
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 482
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,073
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 89
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 278
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 482
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,073
Past One Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 13.29%
Past Five Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05
Past Ten Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 15.28%
[1]
1 Performance shown for the Fund’s Class I and Class L shares reflects the performance of the Class I and Class C shares, respectively, of the Predecessor Fund for periods prior to May 21, 2010.
[2]
3 The Russell 1000® Growth Index measures the performance of the large-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000® Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. The Russell 1000® Index is an index of approximately 1,000 of the largest U.S. companies based on a combination of market capitalization and current index membership. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
[3]
4 Since Inception reflects the inception date of Class I.
[4]
5 Lipper Large-Cap Growth Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Large-Cap Growth Funds classification. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index.
[5]
3 “Advisory Fee” includes the management fee of a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund organized as a company under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Subsidiary”). The Fund’s “Adviser,” Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., has agreed to waive or credit a portion of the advisory fee in an amount equal to the management fee paid to the Adviser by the Subsidiary.
[6]
4 “Other Expenses” include expenses of the Fund’s and Subsidiary’s most recent fiscal year.
[7]
5 The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses, excluding acquired fund fees and expenses (as applicable), certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 0.85% for Class I, 1.20% for Class A, 0.99% for Class L, 1.95% for Class C and 0.81% for Class R6. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of this Prospectus or until such time as the Board of Directors of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) acts to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when it deems such action is appropriate.
[8]
1 Performance shown for the Fund’s Class I and Class L shares reflects the performance of the Class I and Class C shares, respectively, of the Predecessor Fund for periods prior to May 21, 2010.
[9]
2 These returns do not reflect any tax consequences from a sale of your shares at the end of each period.
[10]
1
Investments in Class A shares 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 12 months, except for certain specific circumstances. See “Shareholder Information—How To Redeem Fund Shares” for further information about the CDSC waiver categories.
[11]
6 The Fund’s “Distributor,” Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc., has agreed to waive the 12b-1 fee on Class L shares of the Fund to the extent it exceeds 0.04% of the average daily net assets of such shares on an annualized basis. This waiver will continue for at least one year from the date of this Prospectus or until such time as the Board of Directors of the Company acts to discontinue all or a portion of such waiver when it deems such action is appropriate.
[12]
2
The Class C CDSC is only applicable if you sell your shares within one year after the last day of the month of purchase. See “Shareholder Information—How To Redeem Fund Shares” for a complete discussion of the CDSC.
[13]
2 The MSCI All Country World ex USA Net Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. 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 performance of the index is listed in U.S. dollars and assumes reinvestment of net dividends. Net total return indices reinvest dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
[14]
3 Since Inception reflects the inception date of Class I.
[15]
4 The Lipper International Multi-Cap Growth Funds Index is an equally-weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper International Multi-Cap Growth Funds classification. There are currently 30 funds represented in this index.
[16]
3 “Advisory Fee” includes the management fee of a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund organized as a company under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Subsidiary”). The Fund’s “Adviser,” Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., has agreed to waive or credit a portion of the advisory fee in an amount equal to the management fee paid to the Adviser by the Subsidiary.
[17]
4 “Other Expenses” include expenses of the Fund’s and Subsidiary’s most recent fiscal year.
[18]
5 The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses, excluding acquired fund fees and expenses (as applicable), certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 1.00% for Class I, 1.35% for Class A, 1.85% for Class L, 2.10% for Class C and 0.95% for Class R6. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of this Prospectus or until such time as the Board of Directors of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) acts to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when it deems such action is appropriate.
[19]
1 These returns do not reflect any tax consequences from a sale of your shares at the end of each period.
[20]
1
Investments in Class A shares 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 12 months, except for certain specific circumstances. See “Shareholder Information—How To Redeem Fund Shares” for further information about the CDSC waiver categories.
[21]
2
The Class C CDSC is only applicable if you sell your shares within one year after the last day of the month of purchase. See “Shareholder Information—How To Redeem Fund Shares” for a complete discussion of the CDSC.