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Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Document Type dei_DocumentType 485BPOS
Document Period End Date dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate Dec. 31, 2021
Registrant Name dei_EntityRegistrantName Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.
Entity Inv Company Type dei_EntityInvCompanyType N-1A
Central Index Key dei_EntityCentralIndexKey 0000836487
Amendment Flag dei_AmendmentFlag false
Document Creation Date dei_DocumentCreationDate May 04, 2022
Document Effective Date dei_DocumentEffectiveDate May 04, 2022
Prospectus Date rr_ProspectusDate Apr. 29, 2022
(MSIF Multi-Asset Real Return Portfolio - Classes I, A, C and R6) | (Multi-Asset Real Return Portfolio)  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Multi-Asset Real Return Portfolio (the “Fund”) seeks total return, targeted to be in excess of inflation, through capital appreciation and current income.
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 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 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 27 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 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 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 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 232% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 232.00%
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The Fund’s Adviser seeks to achieve the Fund’s investment objective by investing in inflation-sensitive securities, such as inflation-sensitive global equities (such as energy and materials), commodities (such as gold and other precious metals and industrial metals) and inflation-linked bonds (collectively, “Core Real Assets”). The Adviser will also opportunistically allocate assets to infrastructure, real estate, and other real asset equities with inflation-hedging characteristics. The Fund’s investment allocation to Core Real Assets may vary significantly and is not subject to a minimum threshold. The Fund will opportunistically take directional and non-directional (or hedged) positions across multiple asset classes globally with attractive real return potential. To implement this approach, the Adviser will take long and short positions in a range of securities, other instruments and asset classes. The Adviser may implement these positions either directly by purchasing securities or in the case of short positions, through the use of derivatives.
The Adviser will actively manage the Fund by: (1) periodically adjusting allocations to Core Real Assets; (2) varying weights of sub-categories within Core Real Assets and (3) opportunistically adding directional and non-directional positions with inflation-hedging and/or real return characteristics.
In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser uses a top-down macro-driven discretionary fundamental approach. Investment decisions will be based on an assessment of factors including macroeconomic and structural trends (e.g. economic growth, interest rates, political cycles and inflation), with a particular focus on inflation, asset valuations and investor sentiment/positioning.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund typically expects to invest between 50-100% of its total assets in Core Real Assets. However, at the Adviser’s discretion based on market and other conditions, the Fund may at times have less or no exposure to Core Real Assets.
The Fund may invest in real estate investment trusts and similar entities established outside the United States. In addition, the Fund may invest in fixed-income securities issued or guaranteed by foreign governments or supranational organizations or any of their instrumentalities, including debt obligations of governmental issuers located in emerging markets or developing countries and
sovereign debt, as well as fixed-income securities that are rated below “investment grade” or are not rated (commonly referred to as “junk bonds” or “high yield/high risk securities”) but are determined by the Adviser to be of equivalent quality. The Fund may invest in asset-backed securities. The Fund may also invest in privately placed and restricted securities. The mortgage-backed securities in which the Fund may invest include mortgage pass-through securities which represent a participation interest in a pool of mortgage loans originated by U.S. governmental or private lenders, such as banks. The Fund may also invest in other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”).
The Fund will use derivative instruments for a variety of purposes, including hedging, risk management, portfolio management or income earning purposes. The Fund’s use of derivatives may involve engaging in futures, options, swaps, structured investments (including commodity-linked notes) and other related derivative instruments and techniques. The Fund may also invest in currency derivatives, including, but not limited to, foreign currency forward exchange contracts, and currency and currency index futures and options contracts for hedging and non-hedging purposes. The use of these currency derivatives may allow the Fund to obtain net long or net negative (short) exposure to selected currencies. At times, the Fund may enter into “cross-currency” transactions involving currencies other than those in which securities held or proposed to be purchased are denominated. Derivative instruments used by the Fund will be counted toward the Fund’s exposure in the types of securities listed above to the extent they have economic characteristics similar to such securities.
The Fund may, consistent with its principal investment strategies, invest up to 25% of its total assets in a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund organized as a company under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Subsidiary”). The Subsidiary may invest, directly or indirectly through the use of derivatives, in securities, commodities, commodity-related instruments and other investments, primarily futures, swaps and notes. The Subsidiary is advised by the Adviser. Investments in the Subsidiary are intended to provide the Fund with exposure to commodities markets while meeting the federal tax requirements that apply to regulated investment companies, like the Fund. The Subsidiary primarily obtains its commodity exposure by investing in commodity-linked derivative instruments, which may include, but are not limited to, total return swaps, commodity (U.S. or foreign) futures and commodity-linked notes. The Subsidiary may also invest in other instruments, including fixed-income securities, either as investments or to serve as margin or collateral for its swap positions, and foreign currency transactions (including forward contracts).
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:
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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.
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Small and Mid Cap Companies. Investments in small and mid cap companies may involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies. The securities issued by small and mid cap companies may be less liquid and such companies may have more limited markets, financial resources and product lines, and may lack the depth of management of larger companies.
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REITs, REOCs and Foreign Real Estate Companies. Investing in REITs, REOCs and foreign real estate companies exposes investors to the risks of owning real estate directly, as well as to risks that relate specifically to the way in which REITs, REOCs and foreign real estate companies are organized and operated. Operating REITs and foreign real estate companies requires specialized management skills and the Fund indirectly bears management expenses along with the direct expenses of the Fund. REITs are also subject to certain provisions under federal tax law and the failure of a company to qualify as a REIT could have adverse consequences for the Fund. In addition, foreign real estate companies may be subject to the laws, rules and regulations governing those entities and their failure to comply with those laws, rules and regulations could negatively impact the performance of those entities.
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Commodities. Trading in commodity interests may involve substantial risks and investment exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities, such as stocks and bonds. The commodities markets may fluctuate widely based on a variety of factors, including changes in overall market movements, domestic and foreign political and economic events and policies, war, acts of terrorism, changes in domestic or foreign interest rates and/or investor expectations concerning interest rates, domestic and foreign inflation rates and investment and trading activities of mutual funds, hedge funds and commodities funds.
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Natural Resources. Investments in securities of natural resources companies may be affected by a variety of factors, including global political and economic developments, natural disasters in major natural resource areas, fluctuations in commodity prices, government regulations and fluctuating demand caused by, among other things, rising interest rates, general economic conditions and energy conservation efforts.
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Infrastructure Companies. By investing in infrastructure companies, the Fund has greater exposure to the potential adverse economic, regulatory, political and other changes affecting companies operating within the infrastructure industry. Companies within the infrastructure industry are subject to a variety of factors that may adversely affect their business or operations, including
high interest costs in connection with capital construction and improvement programs, high leverage, costs associated with compliance with and changes in environmental and other regulations, difficulty in raising capital in adequate amounts and on reasonable terms in periods of high inflation and unsettled capital markets or government budgetary constraints that impact publicly funded projects, the effects of economic slowdown or recession and surplus capacity, increased competition from other providers of services, uncertainties concerning the availability of fuel at reasonable prices, the effects of energy conservation policies and other factors.
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Exchange-Traded Funds. Shares of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) have many of the same risks as direct investments in common stocks or bonds and their market value may differ from their NAV because the supply and demand in the market for ETF shares at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the underlying securities. As a shareholder in an ETF, the Fund would bear its ratable share of that entity’s expenses while continuing to pay its own investment management fees and other expenses. As a result, the Fund and its shareholders will, in effect, be absorbing duplicate levels of fees. Furthermore, disruptions in the markets for the securities underlying ETFs purchased or sold by the Fund could result in losses on the Fund’s investment in ETFs.
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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.
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Fixed-Income Securities. Fixed-income securities are subject to the risk of the issuer’s inability to meet principal and interest payments on its obligations (i.e., credit risk) and are subject to price volatility resulting from, among other things, interest rate sensitivity (i.e., interest rate risk), market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity (i.e., market risk). The Fund may face a heightened level of interest rate risk in times of monetary policy change and uncertainty, such as when the Federal Reserve Board adjusts a quantitative easing program and/or changes rates. A changing interest rate environment increases certain risks, including the potential for periods of volatility, increased redemptions, shortened durations (i.e., prepayment risk) and extended durations (i.e., extension risk). The Fund is not limited as to the maturities (when a debt security provides its final payment) or durations (measure of interest rate sensitivity) of the securities in which it may invest. Securities
with longer durations are likely to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, generally making them more volatile than securities with shorter durations. Lower rated fixed-income securities have greater volatility because there is less certainty that principal and interest payments will be made as scheduled. TIPS are subject to the effects of changes in market interest rates caused by factors other than inflation (real interest rates). In general, the price of TIPS tend to decline when real interest rates increase. Interest payments on TIPS will fluctuate as the principal and/or interest is periodically adjusted to a specified rate of inflation and can be unpredictable.
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Derivatives. A derivative instrument often has risks similar to its underlying asset and may have additional risks, including imperfect correlation between the value of the derivative and the underlying asset, risks of default by the counterparty to certain transactions, magnification of losses incurred due to changes in the market value of the securities, instruments, indices or interest rates to which the derivative instrument relates, risks that the transactions may not be liquid, risks arising from margin requirements and risks arising from mispricing or valuation complexity. Certain derivative transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. Leverage magnifies the potential for gain and the risk of loss.
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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.
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Asset Allocation. The Fund’s allocations to the various underlying and independently managed investment strategies may cause the Fund to underperform a particular individual strategy or other funds, including those with a similar investment objective. It is possible that Fund assets could be allocated to underlying and independently managed investment strategies that perform poorly or underperform other investments under various market conditions.
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Sovereign Debt Securities. Investing in sovereign debt securities will expose the Fund to the direct or indirect consequences of political, social or economic changes in the countries that issue the securities. The issuer or governmental authority that controls the repayment of sovereign debt may not be willing or able to repay the principal and/or pay interest when it becomes due, due to factors such as debt service burden, political constraints, cash flow problems and other national economic factors. In addition, foreign governments may default on their debt securities, which may require holders of such securities to participate in debt rescheduling or additional lending to defaulting governments. Moreover, there is no bankruptcy proceeding by which defaulted sovereign debt may be collected in whole or in part.
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Foreign Currency. The Fund’s investments in foreign securities may be denominated in foreign currencies. The value of foreign currencies may fluctuate relative to the value of the U.S. dollar. Since the Fund may invest in such non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities, and therefore may convert the value of such securities into U.S. dollars, changes in currency exchange rates can increase or decrease the U.S. dollar value of the Fund’s assets. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates and the overall economic health of the issuer. Devaluation of a currency by a country’s government or banking authority also will have a significant impact on the value of any investments denominated in that currency. The Adviser may use derivatives to reduce this risk. The Adviser may in its discretion choose not to hedge against currency risk. In addition, certain market conditions may make it impossible or uneconomical to hedge against currency risk.
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Inflation-Linked Securities Risk. The values of inflation-linked securities change in response to actual or anticipated changes in specific inflation rates. Inflation-linked securities are also subject to the effects of changes in market interest rates caused by factors other than inflation (real interest rates). Real interest rates change over time as a result of many factors, such as currency exchange rates, central bank monetary policies and general economic conditions. Such changes may be unanticipated by the Adviser. In addition, inflation-linked securities are subject to the risks associated with fixed-income securities. When inflation is low, declining, or negative, the inflation-linked securities in which the Fund invests could underperform more conventional bonds. Interest payments on inflation-linked investments may vary widely and will fluctuate as the principal and interest are adjusted for inflation.
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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.
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Mortgage-Backed Securities. Mortgage-backed securities entail prepayment risk, which generally increases during a period of falling interest rates. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of mortgage-backed securities will increase and market price will decrease. Rates of prepayment, faster or slower than expected by the Adviser, could reduce the Fund’s yield, increase the volatility of the Fund and/or cause a decline in NAV. Mortgage-backed securities are also subject to extension risk, which is the risk that rising interest rates could cause mortgages or other obligations underlying the securities to be prepaid more slowly than expected, thereby lengthening the duration of such securities, increasing
their sensitivity to interest rate changes and causing their prices to decline. Certain mortgage-backed securities may be more volatile and less liquid than other traditional types of debt securities. In addition, mortgage-backed securities are subject to credit risk. The Fund may invest in non-agency mortgage-backed securities offered by non-governmental issuers, such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers. Non-agency mortgage-backed securities are not subject to the same underwriting requirements for the underlying mortgages that are applicable to those mortgage-backed securities that have a government or government-sponsored entity guarantee. As a result, the mortgage loans underlying non-agency mortgage-backed securities may, and frequently do, have less favorable collateral, credit risk or other underwriting characteristics than government or government-sponsored mortgage-backed securities and have wider variances in a number of terms including interest rate, term, size, purpose and borrower characteristics. An unexpectedly high rate of defaults on the mortgages held by a mortgage pool may adversely affect the value of a mortgage-backed security and could result in losses to the Fund. The risk of such defaults is generally higher in the case of mortgage pools that include subprime mortgages. Furthermore, mortgage-backed securities may be subject to risks associated with the assets underlying those securities, such as a decline in value. Investments in mortgage-backed securities may give rise to a form of leverage (indebtedness) and may cause the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate to appear higher. Leverage may cause the Fund to be more volatile than if the Fund had not been leveraged. The risks associated with mortgage-backed securities typically become elevated during periods of distressed economic, market, health and labor conditions. In particular, increased levels of unemployment, delays and delinquencies in payments of mortgage and rent obligations, and uncertainty regarding the effects and extent of government intervention with respect to mortgage payments and other economic matters may adversely affect the Fund’s investments in mortgage-backed securities.
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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.
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LIBOR Discontinuance or Unavailability Risk. The London InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) is intended to represent the rate at which contributing banks may obtain short-term borrowings from each other in the London interbank market. The regulatory authority that oversees financial services firms and financial markets in the U.K. has announced that, after the end of 2021, it would no longer persuade or compel contributing banks to make rate submissions for purposes of determining the LIBOR rate. However, subsequent announcements by the Financial Conduct Authority, the LIBOR administrator and other regulators indicate that it is possible that the most widely used tenors of U.S. Dollar LIBOR may continue to be provided on a representative basis until mid-2023. However, in connection with supervisory guidance from regulators, some regulated entities will cease to enter into most new LIBOR-based contracts after January 1, 2022. As a result, it is possible that commencing in 2022 (or on a later date, if a particular LIBOR tenor is expected to continue beyond the end of 2021), LIBOR may no longer be available or no longer deemed an appropriate reference rate upon which to determine the interest rate on or impacting certain loans, notes, derivatives and other instruments or investments comprising some or all of the Fund’s portfolio.
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Subsidiary Risk. The Subsidiary is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and is not subject to all the investor protections of the 1940 Act. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described herein and could adversely affect the Fund. By investing in the Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments.
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Tax Risk. The Fund may seek to gain exposure to the commodity markets through investments in the Subsidiary. Historically, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has issued private letter rulings in which the IRS specifically concluded that income and gains from investments in commodity index-linked structured notes (the “Notes Rulings”) or a wholly-owned foreign subsidiary that invests in commodity-linked instruments are “qualifying income” for purposes of compliance with Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Fund has not received such a private letter ruling, and is not able to rely on private letter rulings issued to other taxpayers. The IRS recently issued a revenue procedure, which states that the IRS will not in the future issue private letter rulings that would require a determination of whether an asset (such as a commodity index-linked note) is a “security” under the 1940 Act. In connection with issuing such revenue procedure, the IRS has revoked the Notes Rulings. The IRS also recently issued final regulations that would generally treat the Fund’s income inclusion with respect to the Subsidiary as qualifying income either if (A) there is a distribution out of the earnings and profits of the Subsidiary that are attributable to such income inclusion or (B) such inclusion is derived with respect to the Fund’s business of investing in stock, securities, or currencies. The Fund intends to treat its income from the Subsidiary as qualifying income. No assurances can be provided that the IRS would not be able to successfully assert that the Fund’s income from such investments was not “qualifying income,” in which case the Fund would fail to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code if over
10% of its gross income was derived from these investments. If the Fund failed to qualify as a regulated investment company, it would be subject to federal and state income tax on all of its taxable income at regular corporate tax rates with no deduction for any distributions paid to shareholders, which would significantly adversely affect the returns to, and could cause substantial losses for, Fund shareholders. The Cayman Islands does not currently impose any income, corporate or capital gains tax, estate duty, inheritance tax, gift tax or withholding tax on the Subsidiary. If Cayman Islands law changes such that the Subsidiary must pay Cayman Islands taxes, Fund shareholders would likely suffer decreased investment returns.
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 year period and since inception compare with those of broad measures 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 year period and since inception compare with those of broad measures 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
12/31/20
10.83%
Low Quarter
03/31/20
-18.55%
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 Multi-Asset Real Return Portfolio - Classes I, A, C and R6) | (Multi-Asset Real Return Portfolio) | Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Bill 1-3 Month Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.04% [1]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 1.10% [1],[2]
(MSIF Multi-Asset Real Return Portfolio - Classes I, A, C and R6) | (Multi-Asset Real Return Portfolio) | MSIF Multi-Asset Real Return Blend Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 18.14% [3]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 13.45% [2],[3]
(MSIF Multi-Asset Real Return Portfolio - Classes I, A, C and R6) | (Multi-Asset Real Return Portfolio) | MSCI World Net Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 21.82% [4]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 14.44% [2],[4]
(MSIF Multi-Asset Real Return Portfolio - Classes I, A, C and R6) | (Multi-Asset Real Return Portfolio) | Lipper Real Return Funds Index (reflects no deduction for taxes)  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 19.03% [5]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.15% [2],[5]
(MSIF Multi-Asset Real Return Portfolio - Classes I, A, C and R6) | (Multi-Asset Real Return 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 0.60% [6]
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 2.16% [7]
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.03% [8]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 2.79% [8]
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 1.96% [8]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.83% [8]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 85
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 679
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,300
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,976
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 85
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 679
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,300
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 2,976
Annual Return 2019 rr_AnnualReturn2019 18.35%
Annual Return 2020 rr_AnnualReturn2020 0.39%
Annual Return 2021 rr_AnnualReturn2021 22.11%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel High Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 10.83%
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2020
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Low Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (18.55%)
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Mar. 31, 2020
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 22.11%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.94%
(MSIF Multi-Asset Real Return Portfolio - Classes I, A, C and R6) | (Multi-Asset Real Return Portfolio) | Class I | After Taxes on Distributions  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 16.51% [9]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.86% [9]
(MSIF Multi-Asset Real Return Portfolio - Classes I, A, C and R6) | (Multi-Asset Real Return Portfolio) | Class I | After Taxes on Distributions and Sales  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 14.27%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.28%
(MSIF Multi-Asset Real Return Portfolio - Classes I, A, C and R6) | (Multi-Asset Real Return 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 0.60% [6]
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 3.29% [7]
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.03% [8]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 4.17% [8]
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 2.99% [8]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.18% [8]
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 $ 922
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 1,156
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,408
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,129
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 922
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 1,156
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,408
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 2,129
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 15.20%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.91%
(MSIF Multi-Asset Real Return Portfolio - Classes I, A, C and R6) | (Multi-Asset Real Return 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% [11]
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.60% [6]
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 2.44% [7]
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.03% [8]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 4.07% [8]
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 2.14% [8]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.93% [8]
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 $ 296
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 1,043
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,905
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 4,154
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 196
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 1,043
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,905
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 4,154
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 19.80%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.73%
(MSIF Multi-Asset Real Return Portfolio - Classes I, A, C and R6) | (Multi-Asset Real Return 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 0.60% [6]
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 20.60% [7]
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.03% [8]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 21.23% [8]
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets 20.45% [8]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.78% [8]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 80
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 3,816
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 6,437
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 10,061
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 80
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 3,816
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 6,437
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 10,061
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 22.16%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.96%
[1]
2 The Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Bills 1 – 3 Month Index is designed to measure the performance of public obligations of the U.S. Treasury that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to one month and less than three months. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Effective August 31, 2021, the Fund changed its primary benchmark to the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Bills 1 – 3 Month Index because the Adviser believes it is a more appropriate benchmark for the Fund.
[2]
3 Since Inception reflects the inception date of the Fund.
[3]
4 The MSIF Multi-Asset Real Return Blend Index is a performance linked benchmark of the old and new benchmarks of the Fund. The old benchmark represented by MSCI World Net Index from the Fund’s inception to August 30, 2021 to the new benchmark represented by Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Bill 1-3 Month Index for periods thereafter. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
[4]
5 The MSCI World Net Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index designed to measure the equity market performance of developed 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. The MSCI World Net Index currently consists of 23 developed market country indices. 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.
[5]
6 The Lipper Real Return Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Real Return Funds classification. There are currently 10 funds represented in this index.
[6]
3 “Advisory Fee” includes the management fee of the Subsidiary (as defined below). 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.
[7]
4 “Other Expenses” include expenses of the Fund’s and Subsidiary’s most recent fiscal year.
[8]
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 0.80% for Class I, 1.15% for Class A, 1.90% for Class C and 0.75% 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.
[9]
1 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]
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.