CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net sales:
Software and other	$ 94,466	$ 80,948	$ 42,420
Professional services	40,978	41,905	23,175
Maintenance and EDI	113,460	109,575	74,737
Total net sales	248,904	232,428	140,332
Cost of sales:
Software and other	43,281	29,090	13,762
Professional services	24,693	21,134	15,411
Maintenance and EDI	31,090	29,090	24,418
Depreciation, amortization and impairment	8,987	9,340	10,972
Total cost of sales	108,051	88,654	64,563
Gross margin	140,853	143,774	75,769
Operating costs and expenses:
Sales and marketing	43,908	38,800	20,697
Product research and development	32,419	27,542	20,064
General and administrative	42,366	32,579	22,012
Acquisition-related expenses	3,402	1,614	9,674
Restructuring and other expenses	830	1,216	5,006
Depreciation, amortization and impairment	11,308	12,868	6,840
Total operating costs and expenses	134,233	114,619	84,293
Operating income (loss)	6,620	29,155	(8,524)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(32,926)	(29,421)	(17,218)
Interest income	766	506	58
Other, net	811	(2,106)	522
Total other expense	(31,349)	(31,021)	(16,638)
Loss before income taxes	(24,729)	(1,866)	(25,162)
Income tax expense (benefit)	4,091	3,665	(13,646)
Net loss	(28,820)	(5,531)	(11,516)
Less: noncontrolling interest's share	(18)	(10)	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Merge	(28,802)	(5,521)	(11,516)
Less: preferred stock dividends	0	3,153	19,076
Net loss attributable to common shareholders of Merge	$ (28,802)	$ (8,674)	$ (30,592)
Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders of Merge - basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.31)	$ (0.1)	$ (0.38)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	92,128,717	86,647,097	80,231,427
Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders of Merge - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.31)	$ (0.1)	$ (0.38)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	92,128,717	86,647,097	80,231,427