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Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Bridges Investment Fund, Inc.
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective:
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock
Bridges Investment Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) seeks long-term capital appreciation,
Objective, Secondary [Text Block] rr_ObjectiveSecondaryTextBlock
with a secondary objective of generating a modest amount of current income.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund:
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund:
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesCaption Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover:
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock
  The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio).  A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account.  These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance.  During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 17.0% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 17.00%
Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text] rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees Please note that the amount of Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses shown in the above table may differ from the Ratio of Net Expenses to Average Net Assets included in the "Financial Highlights" section of the statutory prospectus which reflects the operating expenses of the Fund and does not include Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses.
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example:
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock
 This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of these periods.  The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same.
Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text] rr_ExpenseExampleByYearCaption Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund:
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
   The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of common stocks, which Fund management believes offers the potential for increased earnings and dividends over time.  Normally, such equity securities will represent 60% or more of the Fund’s net assets.  However, the overall asset allocation is set by Fund management’s determination of the most attractive risk adjusted return opportunities available in both equity and fixed income securities.

The equity investment approach of Bridges Investment Management, Inc. (“BIM” or the “Adviser”) emphasizes owning companies in the Fund which it believes offer the best potential for above-average, long-term capital appreciation.  The Adviser’s equity investment process focuses on identifying companies which have accelerating revenues, earnings growth, strong dividend growth potential, free cash flow growth, expanding margins and strong balance sheets.  Market capitalization or company size is a result of this investment approach rather than an active investment consideration.  Historically, the Fund has primarily owned securities in larger companies, although at any time, the Fund may own securities in small, medium, or large size companies.  The Fund may also invest in common stocks which the Adviser believes may be cyclically depressed or undervalued, and therefore, may offer potential for capital appreciation.

In pursuing these principal investment objectives, the Fund may invest up to 15% of its total assets in U.S. dollar-denominated securities of foreign issuers traded on U.S. exchanges, and up to 20% of its total assets in American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) traded on U.S. exchanges or in the U.S. over-the-counter market.

In addition, to generate current income, as part of its principal strategy, the Fund may acquire investment grade corporate bonds, debentures, U.S. Treasury bonds and notes, and preferred stocks.  Historically, such fixed income securities have not constituted more than 40% of the market value of the Fund’s portfolio.  Two considerations drive the Adviser’s maturity strategy with respect to fixed income securities.  First, the Adviser will generally manage the weighted average life of the Fund’s fixed income portfolio given its perception of where value lies at any point in time on the yield curve.  Second, the Adviser will manage the weighted average life of the Fund’s fixed income portfolio based on its intermediate to longer-term outlook for interest rates at any point in time.

The allocation of Fund investments among common stocks and other equity securities and bonds and other debt securities (including U.S. Treasury securities) is based on the Adviser’s judgments about the potential returns and risks of each class.  The Adviser considers a number of factors when making these allocations, including economic conditions and monetary factors, inflation and interest levels and trends, and fundamental factors (such as price/earnings ratios or growth rates) of individual companies in which the Fund invests.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund:
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
The risks associated with an investment in the Fund can increase during times of significant market volatility.  There is the risk that you could lose all or a portion of your investment in the Fund.  The following risks could affect the value of your investment:

Market Risk: The prices of the stocks in which the Fund invests may decline for a number of reasons such as changing economic, political or market conditions.  The price declines may be steep, sudden and/or prolonged.

Interest Rate Risk: The market value of bonds and other debt securities generally declines when interest rates rise.  This risk is greater for bonds with longer maturities.

Credit Risk: The risk of investments in bonds and debt securities whose issuers may not able to make interest and principal payments.  In turn, issuers’ inability to make payments may lower the credit quality of the security and lead to greater volatility in the price of the security.

Asset Allocation Risk: The risk that asset allocation to a particular strategy does not reflect actual market movement or the effect of economic conditions.  The Fund’s performance may be affected by the Adviser’s ability to anticipate correctly the relative potential returns and risks of the types of assets in which the Fund invests.

Small and Medium Capitalization Risk:  Investing in securities of small and medium capitalization companies may involve greater volatility than investing in larger and more established companies because small and medium capitalization companies can be subject to more abrupt or erratic share price changes than larger, more established companies.

Foreign Securities and ADR Risk: Investing in foreign issuer securities and ADRs may involve risks in addition to the risks in domestic investments, including less regulatory oversight and less publicly-available information, less stable governments and economies, and non-uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney There is the risk that you could lose all or a portion of your investment in the Fund.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance:
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock
The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and how the Fund’s average annual returns over time compare with those of a broad measure of market performance, as well as indices that reflect the market sectors in which the Fund invests.  The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund's performance from year to year and how the Fund's average annual returns over time compare with those of a broad measure of market performance, as well as indices that reflect the market sectors in which the Fund invests.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The Fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Total Return for the Calendar Years Ended December 31
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock
The Fund’s highest and lowest returns for a calendar quarter during the 10 year period shown on the bar chart are a return of 21.26% for the quarter ended June 30, 2003, and -23.33% for the quarter ended December 31, 2008.
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel highest returns
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2003
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 21.26%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel lowest returns
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (23.33%)
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text] rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts ("IRAs").
Performance Table Explanation after Tax Higher rr_PerformanceTableExplanationAfterTaxHigher In certain cases, the "Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares" may be higher than other return figures. A higher after-tax return results when a capital loss occurs upon redemption and provides an assumed tax deduction that benefits the investor.
Performance Table Closing [Text Block] rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”).  In certain cases, the “Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares” may be higher than other return figures.  A higher after-tax return results when a capital loss occurs upon redemption and provides an assumed tax deduction that benefits the investor.
Caption rr_AverageAnnualReturnCaption Average Annual Total Returns (for the periods ended December 31, 2012)
Russell 1000® Growth Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Russell 1000 Growth Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 15.26%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.12%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.52%
S&P 500® Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel S&P 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 16.00%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.66%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.10%
Bridges Investment Fund, Inc.
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) on Reinvested Dividends and other Distributions rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed) rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.50%
Distribution (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.38%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.02% [1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.90% [1]
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 92
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 287
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 498
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,108
Annual Return 2003 rr_AnnualReturn2003 35.83%
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 8.36%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 5.99%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 1.96%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 4.72%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (35.47%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 34.61%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 11.50%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 0.62%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 14.16%
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Return Before Taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 14.16%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.15%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.37%
Bridges Investment Fund, Inc. | After Taxes on Distributions
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Return After Taxes on Distributions
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 14.06%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.06%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.12%
Bridges Investment Fund, Inc. | After Taxes on Distributions and Sales
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 9.33%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.82%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.56%
[1] Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are indirect fees and expenses that funds incur from investing in the shares of other mutual funds. Please note that the amount of Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses shown in the above table may differ from the Ratio of Net Expenses to Average Net Assets included in the "Financial Highlights" section of the statutory prospectus which reflects the operating expenses of the Fund and does not include Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses.