Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jan. 31, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Registrant Name	SERENA SOFTWARE INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001073967
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		98,446,007
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Public Float			$ 0
Entity Current Reporting Status	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	Yes