Concentration Risk, Number of Customers

No definition available.

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

- Definition

Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Number of Product Lines

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Redemptions Of Auction Rate Securities Available For Sale.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	prgs_RedemptionsOfAuctionRateSecuritiesAvailableForSale
Namespace Prefix:	prgs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	prgs_SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	prgs_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Tax effect included in accumulated other comprehensive income related to unrealized losses on investments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	prgs_TaxEffectOnAccumulatedUnrealizedLossesOnInvestment
Namespace Prefix:	prgs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The aggregate amount of recurring noncash expense charged against earnings in the period to allocate the cost of assets over their estimated remaining economic lives.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AdjustmentForAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount charged to advertising expense for the period, which are expenses incurred with the objective of increasing revenue for a specified brand, product or product line.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 720

-SubTopic 35

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6420018&loc=d3e36677-107848

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AdvertisingExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the difference between the gross realized gains and losses realized on the sale of debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Additionally, this item would include any losses recognized for other than temporary impairments (OTTI) of the subject investments in debt and equity securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27357-111563

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents acquisition-related costs incurred to effect a business combination which costs have been expensed during the period. Such costs include finder's fees; advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees; general administrative costs, including the costs of maintaining an internal acquisitions department; and may include costs of registering and issuing debt and equity securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 23

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34752592&loc=d3e1043-128460

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount before accumulated amortization of capitalized costs for computer software, including but not limited to, acquired and internally developed computer software.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 985

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6501960&loc=d3e128462-111756

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalizedComputerSoftwareGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of current income tax expense (benefit) and deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 08

-Paragraph h

-Article 4

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Income Tax Expense (or Benefit)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6515339

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (a),(b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32639-109319

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

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.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The charge against earnings resulting from the write down of long lived assets other than goodwill due to the difference between the carrying value and lower fair value.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 360

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391110&loc=d3e2921-110230

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Examples include, but not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Estimated period over which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the equity-based payment award, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriod1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis=us-gaap_AccountsReceivableMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis=us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNetMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis=us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Nature Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			24 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014 Segments	Aug. 31, 2014	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2013 product_lines
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of product lines divested						11
Number of reportable segments	3us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments
Redemptions and sales of auction rate securities - available-for-sale		$ 26,200,000	$ 26,196,000	$ 25,000	$ 8,955,000
Realized loss on sale of auction rate securities		2,600,000
Capitalized software development costs	(4,100,000)		(4,100,000)	(800,000)	0	(800,000)
Amortization			5,521,000us-gaap_AdjustmentForAmortization	4,090,000us-gaap_AdjustmentForAmortization	21,660,000us-gaap_AdjustmentForAmortization
Long-lived assets impairment charge			0us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges	111,000us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges	898,000us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges
Income tax expense			28,346,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	23,006,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	23,031,000us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Tax effect on accumulated unrealized losses on investment				1,400,000	1,500,000	1,400,000
Advertising costs			1,800,000us-gaap_AdvertisingExpense	1,600,000us-gaap_AdvertisingExpense	1,500,000us-gaap_AdvertisingExpense
Acquisition-related expenses			5,862,000	3,204,000	215,000
Internal Use Software [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful lives of major asset			3 years
Amortization			700,000	0	0
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation service period			3 years
Minimum [Member] \| Computer equipment and software [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful lives of major asset			3 years
Minimum [Member] \| Buildings And Improvements [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful lives of major asset			5 years
Minimum [Member] \| Furniture and fixtures [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful lives of major asset			5 years
Minimum [Member] \| Stock Options [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation service period			4 years
Maximum [Member] \| Computer equipment and software [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful lives of major asset			7 years
Maximum [Member] \| Buildings And Improvements [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful lives of major asset			39 years
Maximum [Member] \| Furniture and fixtures [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful lives of major asset			7 years
Maximum [Member] \| Stock Options [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation service period			5 years
Revenue [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Concentration risk, number of customers			0	0	0
Accounts Receivable [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Concentration risk, number of customers			0	0	0
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments [Member] \| Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Income tax expense			$ 900,000