Organization, Proposed Merger And Bases Of Presentation (Impact Of Tax Correction To The Consolidated Income Statement) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Other income, net	$ (874)	$ 1,156
Income before income tax provision	4,379	6,522
Income tax provision	1,778	3,151
Net income	2,601	3,371
Net income attributable to Quest Software, Inc.	2,668	3,371
Basic	$ 0.03	$ 0.04
Diluted	$ 0.03	$ 0.04
As Previously Reported [Member]
Other income, net		1,269
Income before income tax provision		6,635
Income tax provision		3,006
Net income		3,629
Net income attributable to Quest Software, Inc.		3,629
Basic		$ 0.04
Diluted		$ 0.04
As Corrected [Member]
Other income, net		1,156
Income before income tax provision		6,522
Income tax provision		3,151
Net income		3,371
Net income attributable to Quest Software, Inc.		3,371
Basic		$ 0.04
Diluted		$ 0.04
Increase/(Decrease) [Member]
Other income, net		(113)
Income before income tax provision		(113)
Income tax provision		145
Net income		(258)
Net income attributable to Quest Software, Inc.		$ (258)