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Label Element Value
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Document Type dei_DocumentType 485BPOS
Document Period End Date dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate Aug. 31, 2014
Registrant Name dei_EntityRegistrantName PRINCIPAL FUNDS INC
Central Index Key dei_EntityCentralIndexKey 0000898745
Amendment Flag dei_AmendmentFlag false
Document Creation Date dei_DocumentCreationDate Sep. 18, 2015
Document Effective Date dei_DocumentEffectiveDate Sep. 22, 2015
Prospectus Date rr_ProspectusDate Sep. 22, 2015
Global Opportunities Equity Hedged Fund  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES EQUITY HEDGED FUND
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Objective:
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital with lower volatility than the global equity markets.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 33 of the Fund’s prospectus and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 3 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.
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)
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 annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. This is a new fund and does not yet have a portfolio turnover rate to disclose.
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text] rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A shares of Principal Funds, Inc. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in “Choosing a Share Class and The Costs of Investing” beginning on page 33 of the Fund’s prospectus and “Multiple Class Structure” beginning on page 3 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount] rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount $ 50,000
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearCaption The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities and derivatives on equity securities, at the time of each purchase. The Fund will invest in foreign, including emerging market, securities, of at least three countries and at least 30% of its net assets in foreign securities. The Fund will also invest in U.S. securities. The Fund has a flexible investment strategy and may invest in equity securities regardless of market capitalization (small, medium, or large) and style (growth or value). The Fund invests in value equity securities, an investment strategy that emphasizes buying equity securities that appear to be undervalued. The Fund also invests in growth equity securities; growth orientation emphasizes buying equity securities of companies whose potential for growth of capital and earnings is expected to be above average. The Fund actively trades portfolio securities.

The Fund uses a hedging strategy intended to reduce equity market volatility by investing in derivatives on equity securities. A derivative is a financial arrangement, the value of which is derived from, or based on, a traditional security, asset, or market index. Specifically, the Fund will use short positions in equity index futures contracts and options to reduce overall equity market exposure. The Fund will also use currency forwards contracts to hedge currency exposures. The Fund’s net exposure (the value of the Fund’s aggregate long positions minus its short positions) will vary over time; however, it will maintain more long exposure in equity securities than short derivatives positions.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The value of your investment in the Fund changes with the value of the Fund's investments. Many factors affect that value, and it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The principal risks of investing in the Fund, in alphabetical order, are:
Active Trading Risk. A fund that has a portfolio turnover rate over 100% is considered actively traded. Actively trading portfolio securities may accelerate realization of taxable gains and losses, lower fund performance and may result in high portfolio turnover rates and increased brokerage costs.
Basis Risk. A hedge using derivatives and/or securities could expose the fund to basis risk. Basis risk can arise when a change in the value of a hedge does not match a change in the value of the asset it hedges. In other words, the change in value of the hedge could move in a direction that does not match the change in value of the underlying asset resulting in a risk of loss to the fund.
Counterparty Risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that the counterparty to a derivatives contract or repurchase agreement, the borrower of a portfolio’s securities, or other obligation, will be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest, or settlement payments, or otherwise to honor its obligations.
Currency Risk. Risks of investing in securities denominated in, or that trade in, foreign (non-U.S.) currencies include changes in foreign exchange rates and foreign exchange restrictions.
Derivatives Risk. Transactions in derivatives may increase volatility, cause the liquidation of portfolio positions when not advantageous to do so and produce disproportionate losses.
Emerging Market Risk. Investments in emerging market countries may have more risk than those in developed market countries because the emerging markets are less developed and more illiquid. Emerging market countries can also be subject to increased social, economic, regulatory, and political uncertainties and can be extremely volatile.
Equity Securities Risk. The value of equity securities could decline if the issuer’s financial condition declines or in response to overall market and economic conditions. A fund's principal market segment(s), such as large cap, mid cap or small cap stocks, or growth or value stocks, may underperform other market segments or the equity markets as a whole. Investments in smaller companies and mid-size companies may involve greater risk and price volatility than investments in larger, more mature companies.
Foreign Securities Risk. The risks of foreign securities include loss of value as a result of: political or economic instability; nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation; settlement delays; and limited government regulation (including less stringent reporting, accounting, and disclosure standards than are required of U.S. companies).
Growth Stock Risk. If growth companies do not increase their earnings at a rate expected by investors, the market price of the stock may decline significantly, even if earnings show an absolute increase. Growth company stocks also typically lack the dividend yield that can lessen price declines in market downturns.
Leverage Risk. Leverage created by borrowing or certain types of transactions or investments may impair the fund's liquidity, cause it to liquidate positions at an unfavorable time, increase volatility of the fund's net asset value, or diminish the fund's performance.
Short Sale Risk. A short sale involves the sale by the fund of a security that it does not own with the hope of purchasing the same security at a later date at a lower price. A fund may also enter into a short derivative position through a futures contract or swap agreement. If the price of the security or derivative has increased during this time, then the fund will incur a loss equal to the increase in price from the time that the short sale was entered into plus any premiums and interest paid to the third party. Therefore, short sales involve the risk that losses may be exaggerated, potentially losing more money than the actual cost of the investment. Also, there is the risk that the third party to the short sale may fail to honor its contract terms, causing a loss to the fund.
Value Stock Risk. The market may not recognize the intrinsic value of value stocks for a long time, or they may be appropriately priced at the time of purchase.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney Many factors affect that value, and it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
No performance information is shown below because the Fund has not yet had a calendar year of performance. The Fund's performance is benchmarked against the one-month LIBOR rate. Performance information provides an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. Past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. You may get updated performance information by calling 1-800-222-5852 or online at:
•
For Classes A and P - www.principalfunds.com.
•
For Institutional Class - www.principal.com.
Performance One Year or Less [Text] rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess No performance information is shown below because the Fund has not yet had a calendar year of performance.
Performance Availability Phone [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone 1-800-222-5852
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture Past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Global Opportunities Equity Hedged Fund | Class A  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol PGOHX
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 5.50%
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther 1.00%
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 1.10%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.81% [1]
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 2.16%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.61%) [2]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.55%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination December 30, 2016
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 699
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 $ 1,114
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.principalfunds.com
Global Opportunities Equity Hedged Fund | Class P  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol PGHRX
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 1.10%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.59% [1]
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.69%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.39%) [2]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.30%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination December 30, 2016
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 132
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 $ 481
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.principalfunds.com
Global Opportunities Equity Hedged Fund | Institutional Class  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol PGHIX
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 1.10%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.41% [1]
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.51%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.26%) [2]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.25%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination December 30, 2016
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 127
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 $ 443
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.principal.com
SystematEx International Fund  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading SYSTEMATEX INTERNATIONAL FUND
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Objective:
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
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)
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 annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. This is a new fund and does not yet have a portfolio turnover rate to disclose.
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearCaption The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
The Fund invests primarily in foreign equity securities. The Fund has no limitation on the percentage of assets invested in any one country or denominated in any one currency, but the Fund typically invests in foreign securities of at least 3 countries and at least 40% of its net assets in foreign securities. The Fund invests in equity securities of small, medium, and large market capitalization companies. The Fund actively trades portfolio securities. In an attempt to match or exceed the performance of the Fund's benchmark index, the Fund uses a systematic approach to purchase certain equity securities in the index and to exclude or adjust the weight of certain equity securities relative to the index.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The value of your investment in the Fund changes with the value of the Fund's investments. Many factors affect that value, and it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The principal risks of investing in the Fund, in alphabetical order, are:
Active Trading Risk. A fund that has a portfolio turnover rate over 100% is considered actively traded. Actively trading portfolio securities may accelerate realization of taxable gains and losses, lower fund performance and may result in high portfolio turnover rates and increased brokerage costs.
Currency Risk. Risks of investing in securities denominated in, or that trade in, foreign (non-U.S.) currencies include changes in foreign exchange rates and foreign exchange restrictions.
Equity Securities Risk. The value of equity securities could decline if the issuer's financial condition declines or in response to overall market and economic conditions. A fund's principal market segment(s), such as large cap, mid cap or small cap stocks, or growth or value stocks, may underperform other market segments or the equity markets as a whole. Investments in smaller companies and mid-size companies may involve greater risk and price volatility than investments in larger, more mature companies.
Foreign Securities Risk. The risks of foreign securities include loss of value as a result of: political or economic instability; nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation; settlement delays; and limited government regulation (including less stringent reporting, accounting, and disclosure standards than are required of U.S. companies).
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney Many factors affect that value, and it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
No performance information is shown below because the Fund has not yet had a calendar year of performance. The Fund's performance is benchmarked against the MSCI EAFE Index. Performance information provides an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. Past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. You may get updated performance information by calling 1-800-222-5852 or online at www.principal.com.
Performance One Year or Less [Text] rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess No performance information is shown below because the Fund has not yet had a calendar year of performance.
Performance Availability Phone [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone 1-800-222-5852
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.principal.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture Past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
SystematEx International Fund | Institutional Class  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol PSOMX
Shareholder Fee, Other rr_ShareholderFeeOther none
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.60%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.44% [1]
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.04%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.29%) [3]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.75%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination December 30, 2016
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 77
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 $ 292
SystematEx International Fund | Class R-6  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol PSTMX
Shareholder Fee, Other rr_ShareholderFeeOther none
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.60%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.40% [1]
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.00%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.38%) [3]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.62%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination December 30, 2016
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 63
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 $ 267
SystematEx Large Value Fund  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading SYSTEMATEX LARGE VALUE FUND
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Objective:
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
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)
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 annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. This is a new fund and does not yet have a portfolio turnover rate to disclose.
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearCaption The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated. The Example assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities of companies with large market capitalizations at the time of each purchase. For this Fund, companies with large market capitalizations are those with market capitalizations within the range of companies comprising the Russell 1000® Value Index (which as of June 30, 2015 ranged between approximately $316.0 million and $369.0 billion). The Fund invests in value equity securities, an investment strategy that emphasizes buying equity securities that appear to be undervalued. The Fund actively trades portfolio securities. In an attempt to match or exceed the performance of the Fund's benchmark index, the Fund uses a systematic approach to purchase certain equity securities in the index and to exclude or adjust the weight of certain equity securities relative to the index.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The value of your investment in the Fund changes with the value of the Fund's investments. Many factors affect that value, and it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The principal risks of investing in the Fund, in alphabetical order, are:
Active Trading Risk. A fund that has a portfolio turnover rate over 100% is considered actively traded. Actively trading portfolio securities may accelerate realization of taxable gains and losses, lower fund performance and may result in high portfolio turnover rates and increased brokerage costs.
Equity Securities Risk. The value of equity securities could decline if the issuer's financial condition declines or in response to overall market and economic conditions. A fund's principal market segment(s), such as large cap, mid cap or small cap stocks, or growth or value stocks, may underperform other market segments or the equity markets as a whole. Investments in smaller companies and mid-size companies may involve greater risk and price volatility than investments in larger, more mature companies.
Value Stock Risk. The market may not recognize the intrinsic value of value stocks for a long time, or they may be appropriately priced at the time of purchase.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney Many factors affect that value, and it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
No performance information is shown below because the Fund has not yet had a calendar year of performance. The Fund's performance is benchmarked against the Russell 1000 Value Index. Performance information provides an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. Past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. You may get updated performance information by calling 1-800-222-5852 or online at www.principal.com.
Performance One Year or Less [Text] rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess No performance information is shown below because the Fund has not yet had a calendar year of performance.
Performance Availability Phone [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone 1-800-222-5852
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.principal.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture Past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
SystematEx Large Value Fund | Class R-6  
Prospectus: rr_ProspectusTable  
Trading Symbol dei_TradingSymbol PSLVX
Shareholder Fee, Other rr_ShareholderFeeOther none
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.40%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.21% [1]
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.61%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.19%) [4]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.42%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination December 30, 2016
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 43
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 $ 169
[1] Based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
[2] Principal Management Corporation ("Principal"), the investment advisor, has contractually agreed to limit the Fund’s expenses by paying, if necessary, expenses normally payable by the Fund, (excluding interest expense, expenses related to fund investments, acquired fund fees and expenses, and other extraordinary expenses) to maintain a total level of operating expenses (expressed as a percent of average net assets on an annualized basis) not to exceed 1.55% for Class A and 1.25% for Institutional Class shares. In addition, for Class P, the expense limit will maintain "Other Expenses" (expressed as a percent of average net assets on an annualized basis) not to exceed 0.20%, (excluding interest expense, expenses related to fund investments, acquired fund fees and expenses, and other extraordinary expenses). It is expected that the expense limits will continue through the period ending December 30, 2016; however, Principal Funds, Inc. and Principal, the parties to the agreement, may mutually agree to terminate the expense limits prior to the end of the period.
[3] Principal Management Corporation ("Principal"), the investment advisor, has contractually agreed to limit the Fund’s expenses by paying, if necessary, expenses normally payable by the Fund, (excluding interest expense, expenses related to fund investments, acquired fund fees and expenses, and other extraordinary expenses) to maintain a total level of operating expenses (expressed as a percent of average net assets on an annualized basis) not to exceed 0.75% for Institutional Class and 0.62% for R-6 shares. It is expected that the expense limits will continue through the period ending December 30, 2016; however, Principal Funds, Inc. and Principal, the parties to the agreement, may mutually agree to terminate the expense limits prior to the end of the period.
[4] Principal Management Corporation ("Principal"), the investment advisor, has contractually agreed to limit the Fund’s expenses by paying, if necessary, expenses normally payable by the Fund, (excluding interest expense, expenses related to fund investments, acquired fund fees and expenses, and other extraordinary expenses) to maintain a total level of operating expenses (expressed as a percent of average net assets on an annualized basis) not to exceed 0.42% for R-6 shares. It is expected that the expense limit will continue through the period ending December 30, 2016; however, Principal Funds, Inc. and Principal, the parties to the agreement, may mutually agree to terminate the expense limit prior to the end of the period.