Segment Information Segment Information (Narrative) (Details)	6 Months Ended
May 31, 2012 Segments
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of Reportable Segments	3

Number of segments reported by the entity. A reportable segment is a component of an entity for which there is an accounting requirement to report separate financial information on that component in the entity's financial statements.

No definition available.

Name:	prgs_NumberOfReportableSegments
Namespace Prefix:	prgs_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration