Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2013
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation [Abstract]
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION	1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION Basis of Presentation The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Serena Software, Inc. (“Serena” or the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information as well as the instructions to Form 10-Q and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of January 31, 2013, is derived from the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended January 31, 2013. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, including normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The results of operations for the three months ended April 30, 2013, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending January 31, 2014, or any future period. The information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Report”) should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Risk Factors,” “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” and the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2013. Use of Estimates The preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company to make judgments, assumptions, and estimates that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. The Company bases its estimates and assumptions on current facts, historical experience, and various other factors that it believes are reasonable under the circumstances, to determine the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. To the extent there are material differences between the Company’s estimates and the actual results, the Company’s future consolidated results of operations may be affected. Significant Accounting Policies There have been no material changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies as compared to the accounting policies described in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2013. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-02, Topic 350 – Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2013-02”), which amends Topic 220 to improve the reporting of classifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income to the respective line items in net income. ASU 2013-02 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company adopted this standard in the three months ended April 30, 2013. The adoption did not impact the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial condition as the Company does not currently have any significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

3 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2013

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation [Abstract]

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Basis of Presentation

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Serena Software, Inc. (“Serena” or the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information as well as the instructions to Form 10-Q and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of January 31, 2013, is derived from the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended January 31, 2013. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, including normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The results of operations for the three months ended April 30, 2013, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending January 31, 2014, or any future period. The information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Report”) should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Risk Factors,” “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” and the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2013.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company to make judgments, assumptions, and estimates that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. The Company bases its estimates and assumptions on current facts, historical experience, and various other factors that it believes are reasonable under the circumstances, to determine the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. To the extent there are material differences between the Company’s estimates and the actual results, the Company’s future consolidated results of operations may be affected.

Significant Accounting Policies

There have been no material changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies as compared to the accounting policies described in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2013.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-02, Topic 350 – Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2013-02”), which amends Topic 220 to improve the reporting of classifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income to the respective line items in net income. ASU 2013-02 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company adopted this standard in the three months ended April 30, 2013. The adoption did not impact the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial condition as the Company does not currently have any significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).