CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 197,356	$ 192,165
Short-term investments	41,360	36,774
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $3,602 and $6,369 at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	147,690	201,636
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	54,453	45,846
Deferred income taxes, net	21,382	21,647
Total current assets	462,241	498,068
Property and equipment, net	101,834	94,602
Long-term investments	10,896	24,832
Intangible assets, net	126,843	150,386
Goodwill	864,670	858,444
Deferred income taxes, net	20,123	17,559
Other assets	64,888	55,627
Total assets	1,651,495	1,699,518
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	9,367	11,723
Accrued compensation	55,433	56,148
Other accrued expenses	44,963	42,845
Income taxes payable	8,415	14,482
Loans payable	70,672	91,597
Deferred revenue	366,332	388,788
Total current liabilities	555,182	605,583
Long-term liabilities:
Deferred revenue	109,955	111,050
Income taxes payable	51,299	51,276
Loans payable	33,381	32,133
Other long-term liabilities	7,177	9,942
Total long-term liabilities	201,812	204,401
Total liabilities	756,994	809,984
Commitments and contingencies (Note 18)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	22,000	22,000
Quest Software, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000 shares authorized; 84,650 and 83,148 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	85	83
Additional paid-in-capital	555,167	521,653
Retained earnings	304,334	333,057
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	148	(208)
Total Quest Software Inc. stockholders' equity	859,734	854,585
Noncontrolling interest	12,767	12,949
Total equity	872,501	867,534
Total liabilities and equity	$ 1,651,495	$ 1,699,518