Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	May 11, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	XILINX INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000743988
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--03-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float	$ 5,132,609,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		263,904,412