Summary of Level 3 Activity (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2011
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 5,342
Additions	1,090
Payments/adjustments	(940)
Interest accretion	179
Ending Balance	$ 5,671

This element represents the amount of change in the value of a recognized liability arising from a contingency assumed in a business combination, resulting from the accretion of interest during the reporting period.

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ment_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilitiesValueInterestExpense
Namespace Prefix:	ment_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Cash outflow for contingent consideration in connection with certain acquisitions.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ment_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityPaydowns
Namespace Prefix:	ment_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Purchases that have taken place during the period in relation to liabilities measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6925170&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityPurchases
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents a liability measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) which is required for reconciliation purposes of beginning and ending balances.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6925170&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationsRecurringBasisLiabilityValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant