Note 7 - Long-term Investment (Details) - Summary of Long-term Investment (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Dec. 28, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014
Summary of Long-term Investment [Abstract]
Beginning balance	$ 946us-gaap_LongTermInvestments	$ 1,288us-gaap_LongTermInvestments
Net distributions	(8)	(19)
Impairment charges	(35)us-gaap_ImpairmentOfInvestments	(323)us-gaap_ImpairmentOfInvestments
Ending balance	$ 903us-gaap_LongTermInvestments	$ 946us-gaap_LongTermInvestments

Represents the non-marketable equity investment in fund capital receipts.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	exar_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	exar_SummaryOfLongTermInvestmentAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	exar_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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- Definition

The amount by which the fair value of an investment is less than the amortized cost basis or carrying amount of that investment at the balance sheet date and the decline in fair value is deemed to be other than temporary, before considering whether or not such amount is recognized in earnings or other comprehensive income.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 35

-Paragraph 34

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27723805&loc=d3e25351-111560

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total amount of investments that are intended to be held for an extended period of time (longer than one operating cycle).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant