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Label Element Value
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Registrant Name dei_EntityRegistrantName GOLDMAN SACHS TRUST
Prospectus Date rr_ProspectusDate Apr. 27, 2012
Goldman Sachs Satellite Strategies Portfolio
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Goldman Sachs Satellite Strategies Portfolio–Summary
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock The Goldman Sachs Satellite Strategies Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Portfolio
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 Portfolio. You may qualify for sales charge discounts on purchases of Class A Shares if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Goldman Sachs Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in “Shareholder Guide–Common Questions Applicable to the Purchase of Class A Shares” beginning on page 113 of this Prospectus and “Other Information Regarding Maximum Sales Charge, Purchases, Redemptions, Exchanges and Dividends” beginning on page B-155 of the Portfolio’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”).
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesCaption Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination April 27,2013
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock The Portfolio does not pay transaction costs when it buys and sells shares of the Underlying Funds (as defined below). However, each Underlying Fund pays transaction costs when it buys and sells securities or instruments (i.e., “turns over” its portfolio). A high rate of portfolio turnover may result in increased transaction costs, including brokerage commissions, which must be borne by the Underlying Fund and its shareholders, including the Portfolio, and is also likely to result in higher short-term capital gains for taxable shareholders. These costs are not reflected in annual Portfolio operating expenses or in the expense example above, but are reflected in the Portfolio’s performance. The Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 was 35% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 35.00%
Expenses Deferred Charges [Text Block] rr_ExpensesDeferredChargesTextBlock A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1% is imposed on Class C Shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase.
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text] rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts You may qualify for sales charge discounts on purchases of Class A Shares if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Goldman Sachs Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in “Shareholder Guide–Common Questions Applicable to the Purchase of Class A Shares” beginning on page 113 of this Prospectus and “Other Information Regarding Maximum Sales Charge, Purchases, Redemptions, Exchanges and Dividends” beginning on page B-155 of the Portfolio’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”).
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount] rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount 50,000
Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text] rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees The Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratios of net and total expenses to average net assets provided in the Financial Highlights, which reflect the operating expenses of the Portfolio and do not include Acquired (Underlying) Fund Fees and Expenses.
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Expense Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

This Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in Class A, Class C, Institutional, Service, Class IR and/or Class R Shares of the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Class A, Class C, Institutional, Service, Class IR and/or Class R Shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same (except that the Example incorporates the expense limitation arrangement for only the first year). Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Strategy
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

The Portfolio seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a combination of underlying funds that currently exist or that may become available for investment in the future for which GSAM or an affiliate now or in the future acts as investment adviser or principal underwriter (the “Underlying Funds”). Some of the Underlying Funds invest primarily in fixed income or money market instruments (the “Underlying Fixed Income Funds”) and other Underlying Funds invest primarily in equity securities (the “Underlying Equity Funds”).

Under normal conditions, at least 80% of the Portfolio’s total assets will be allocated among Underlying Funds that the Investment Adviser considers to be invested in satellite asset classes. Satellite asset classes are those that historically have had lower correlations to traditional market exposures such as large cap equities and investment grade fixed income. Satellite funds can be both equity and fixed income funds. The Portfolio’s investment in any of the Underlying Funds may exceed 25% of its assets. The Investment Adviser expects to invest relatively significant percentages in the following satellite equity asset classes: emerging markets equity, international small cap, U.S. and international real estate securities. The Investment Adviser may invest a relatively significant percentage in the following satellite fixed income asset classes: high yield, emerging markets debt and commodities.

THE PARTICULAR UNDERLYING FUNDS IN WHICH THE PORTFOLIO MAY INVEST, THE EQUITY/FIXED INCOME TARGETS AND RANGES AND INVESTMENTS IN EACH UNDERLYING FUND MAY BE CHANGED FROM TIME TO TIME WITHOUT SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL OR NOTICE.

Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Risks of the Portfolio:
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

Loss of money is a risk of investing in the Portfolio. An investment in the Portfolio is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or any government agency. The Portfolio should not be relied upon as a complete investment program. Stated allocations may be subject to change. There can be no assurance that the Portfolio will achieve its investment objective.

Affiliated Persons. The Investment Adviser will have the authority to select and substitute Underlying Funds. The Investment Adviser and/or its affiliates are compensated by the Portfolios and by the Underlying Funds for advisory and/or principal underwriting services provided. The Investment Adviser is subject to conflicts of interest in allocating Portfolio assets among the various Underlying Funds both because the fees payable to it and/or its affiliates by Underlying Funds differ and because the Investment Adviser and its affiliates are also responsible for managing the Underlying Funds. The portfolio managers may also be subject to conflicts of interest in allocating Portfolio assets among the various Underlying Funds because the Portfolio’s portfolio management team may also manage some of the Underlying Funds. The Trustees and officers of the Goldman Sachs Trust may also have conflicting interests in fulfilling their fiduciary duties to both the Portfolios and the Underlying Funds for which GSAM or its affiliates now or in the future serve as investment adviser or principal underwriter.

Expenses. By investing in the Underlying Funds indirectly through the Portfolio, the investor will incur not only a proportionate share of the expenses of the Underlying Funds held by the Portfolio (including operating costs and investment management fees), but also expenses of the Portfolio.

Investing in the Underlying Funds. The investments of the Portfolio are concentrated in the Underlying Funds, and the Portfolio’s investment performance is directly related to the investment performance of the Underlying Funds it holds. The ability of the Portfolio to meet its investment objective is directly related to the ability of the Underlying Funds to meet their objectives as well as the allocation among those Underlying Funds by the Investment Adviser.

Investments of the Underlying Funds. Because the Portfolio invests in the Underlying Funds, the Portfolio’s shareholders will be affected by the investment policies and practices of the Underlying Funds in direct proportion to the amount of assets the Portfolio allocated to those Underlying Funds. See the “Principal Risks of the Underlying Funds” below.

Temporary Investments. Although the Portfolios normally seek to remain substantially invested in the Underlying Funds, each Portfolio may invest a portion of its assets in high-quality, short-term debt obligations to maintain liquidity, to meet shareholder redemptions and for other short-term cash needs. For temporary defensive purposes during abnormal market or economic conditions, a Portfolio may invest without limitation in short-term obligations. When a Portfolio’s assets are invested in such investments, the Portfolio may not be achieving its investment objective.

Principal Risks of the Underlying Funds:

The target and actual asset allocation percentages, the selection of Underlying Funds and the investments in the Underlying Funds are subject to change. Such changes may cause the Portfolio to be subject to additional or different risks than the risks listed below.

Commodity Sector Risk. Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Commodity Strategy Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked investments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or sectors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. The prices of energy, industrial metals, precious metals, agriculture and livestock sector commodities may fluctuate widely due to factors such as changes in value, supply and demand and governmental regulatory policies. The commodity-linked swaps in which the Commodity Strategy Fund invests may involve companies in the financial services sector and events affecting issues in the financial services sector may cause the Commodity Strategy Fund’s share value to fluctuate.

Conflict of Interest Risk. Affiliates of the Investment Adviser may participate in the primary and secondary market for loan obligations. Because of limitations imposed by applicable law, the presence of the Investment Adviser’s affiliates in the loan obligations market may restrict the High Yield Floating Rate Fund’s ability to acquire some loan obligations or affect the timing or price of such acquisitions. Also, because the Investment Adviser may wish to invest in the publicly traded securities of a borrower, it may not have access to material non-public information regarding the borrower to which other lenders have access.

Counterparty Risk. Many of the protections afforded to participants on some organized exchanges, such as the performance guarantee of an exchange clearing house, might not be available in connection with OTC transactions. Therefore, in those instances in which an Underlying Fund enters into OTC transactions, the Underlying Fund will be subject to the risk that its direct counterparty will not perform its obligations under the transactions and that the Underlying Fund will sustain losses.

Credit/Default Risk. An issuer or guarantor of fixed income securities held by an Underlying Fund (which may have low credit ratings) may default on its obligation to pay interest, repay principal or make a margin payment. Additionally, the credit quality of securities may deteriorate rapidly, which may impair an Underlying Fund’s liquidity and cause significant deterioration in net asset value (“NAV”). To the extent that an Underlying Fund invests in non-investment grade fixed income securities, these risks will be more pronounced. To the extent that an Underlying Fund invests in non-investment grade fixed income securities, these risks will be more pronounced.

Derivatives Risk. The risk that loss may result from an Underlying Fund’s investments in options, futures, swaps, structured securities and other derivative instruments. These instruments may be illiquid, difficult to price and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses to an Underlying Fund. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation.

Foreign and Emerging Countries Risk. Foreign securities may be subject to risk of loss because of more or less foreign government regulation, less public information and less economic, political and social stability in the countries in which the Underlying Fund invests. Loss may also result from the imposition of exchange controls, confiscations and other government restrictions, or from problems in registration, settlement or custody. Foreign risk also involves the risk of negative foreign currency rate fluctuations, which may cause the value of securities denominated in such foreign currency (or other instruments through which the Underlying Fund has exposure to foreign currencies) to decline in value. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. To the extent the Underlying Fund also invests in issuers located in emerging countries, these risks may be more pronounced.

Geographic and Sector Risk. Geographic and sector risk is the risk that an Underlying Fund’s performance will be significantly affected by developments in the sector in which its investments are concentrated. By concentrating its assets in a single sector or group of sectors, an Underlying Fund is subject to the risk that economic, business, political or other conditions that have a negative effect on that sector or group of sectors will negatively impact the Underlying Fund to a greater extent than if the Underlying Fund’s assets were diversified across different sectors.

Interest Rate Risk. When interest rates increase, fixed income securities held by an Underlying Fund will generally decline in value. Long-term fixed income securities will normally have more price volatility because of this risk than short-term fixed income securities.

Investment Style Risk. Different investment styles (e.g., “growth”, “value” or “quantitative”) tend to shift in and out of favor depending upon market and economic conditions and investor sentiment. An Underlying Fund may outperform or underperform other funds that invest in similar asset classes but employ different investment styles.

Leverage Risk. Borrowing and the use of derivatives result in leverage, which can magnify the effects of changes in the value of an Underlying Fund and make it more volatile. The use of leverage may cause an Underlying Fund to liquidate portfolio positions to satisfy its obligations or to meet segregation requirements when it may not be advantageous to do so.

Liquidity Risk. The risk that an Underlying Fund may make investments that may be illiquid or that may become less liquid in response to market developments or adverse investor perceptions. Illiquid investments may be more difficult to value. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the allowable time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be forced to sell securities at an unfavorable time and/or under unfavorable conditions.

Loan Obligations Risk. The High Yield Floating Rate Fund is subject to certain risks associated with investments in loan obligations. Loan obligations are subject to the credit risk of nonpayment of principal or interest. Substantial increases in interest rates may cause an increase in loan obligation defaults. Although a loan obligation may be fully collateralized at the time of acquisition, the collateral may decline in value, be relatively illiquid, or lose all or substantially all of its value subsequent to Investment. Many loan obligations are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale and may be relatively illiquid and difficult to value. This will also have an adverse impact on the High Yield Floating Rate Fund’s ability to dispose of particular loan obligations or loan participations when necessary to meet the High Yield Floating Rate Fund’s liquidity needs or when necessary in response to a specific economic event, such as a decline in the credit quality of the borrower.

Loan Participation Risk. The High Yield Floating Rate Fund is subject to certain risks associated with investments in loan participations. The High Yield Floating Rate Fund may not always have direct recourse against a borrower if the borrower fails to pay scheduled principal and interest. Where the High Yield Floating Rate Fund lacks direct recourse, the Fund will look to an agent for the lenders to enforce appropriate credit remedies against the borrower. The High Yield Floating Rate Fund may be subject to greater delays, expenses and risks than would have been involved if the Fund had purchased a direct obligation of the borrower. Under the terms of certain loan participations, the High Yield Floating Rate Fund may be regarded as a creditor of the agent lender rather than of the underlying borrower, and therefore may be subject to the risk that the agent lender may become insolvent.

Market Risk. The value of the instruments in which an Underlying Fund invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies, particular sectors or governments and/or general economic conditions.

Mid-Cap and Small-Cap Risk. Investments in mid-capitalization and small-capitalization companies involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies. These securities may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements and may lack sufficient market liquidity, and these issuers often face greater business risks.

Non-Diversification Risk. Certain of the Underlying Funds are non-diversified and are permitted to invest more of their assets in fewer issuers than “diversified” mutual funds. Thus, such an Underlying Fund may be more susceptible to adverse developments affecting any single issuer held in its portfolio, and may be more susceptible to greater losses because of these developments.

Non-investment Grade Investments Risk. Certain Underlying Funds may invest in non-investment grade investments (commonly known as “junk bonds”) that are considered speculative. Non-investment grade investments and unrated investments of comparable credit quality are subject to the increased risk of an issuer’s inability to meet principal and interest payment obligations. These investments may be subject to greater price volatility due to such factors as specific corporate or municipal developments, interest rate sensitivity, negative perceptions of the non-investment grade markets generally and less secondary market liquidity. Certain Underlying Funds may purchase the securities or obligations of issuers that are in default.

Real Estate Industry Risk. The Real Estate Securities and International Real Estate Securities Funds are subject to certain risks associated with real estate, including, among others: possible declines in the value of real estate; risks related to general and local economic conditions; possible lack of availability of mortgage financing, variations in rental income, neighborhood values or the appeal of property to tenants; interest rates; overbuilding; extended vacancies of properties; increases in competition, property taxes and operating expenses; and changes in zoning laws. The real estate industry is particularly sensitive to economic downturns. The values of securities of companies in the real estate industry may go through cycles of relative under-performance and out-performance in comparison to equity securities markets in general.

REIT Risk. REITs whose underlying properties are concentrated in a particular industry or geographic region are also subject to risks affecting such industries and regions. The securities of REITs involve greater risks than those associated with larger, more established companies and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements because of interest rate changes, economic conditions and other factors. Securities of such issuers may lack sufficient market liquidity to enable a fund to effect sales at an advantageous time or without a substantial drop in price.

Second Lien Loans Risk. The High Yield Floating Rate Fund may invest in second lien loans. Second lien loans generally are subject to similar risks as those associated with investments in senior loans. Because second lien loans are subordinated or unsecured and thus lower in priority of payment to senior loans, they are subject to the additional risk that the cash flow of the borrower and property securing the loan or debt, if any, may be insufficient to meet scheduled payments after giving effect to the senior secured obligations of the borrower. This risk is generally higher for subordinated unsecured loans or debt, which are not backed by a security interest in any specific collateral. Second lien loans generally have greater price volatility than senior loans and may be less liquid. There is also a possibility that originators will not be able to sell participations in second lien loans, which would create greater credit risk exposure for the holders of such loans. Second lien loans share the same risks as other below investment grade securities.

Senior Loan Risk. The High Yield Floating Rate Fund may invest in senior loans, which hold the most senior position in the capital structure of a business entity, and are typically secured with specific collateral and have a claim on the assets and/or stock of the borrower that is senior to that held by subordinated debt holders and stockholders of the borrower. Senior loans are usually rated below investment grade, and are subject to similar risks, such as credit risk, as below investment grade securities. However, senior loans are typically senior and secured in contrast to other below investment grade securities, which are often subordinated and unsecured. There is less readily available, reliable information about most senior loans than is the case for many other types of securities, and the High Yield Floating Rate Fund’s investment adviser relies primarily on its own evaluation of a borrower’s credit quality rather than on any available independent sources. The ability of the High Yield Floating Rate Fund to realize full value in the event of the need to sell a senior loan may be impaired by the lack of an active trading market for certain senior loans or adverse market conditions limiting liquidity. To the extent that a secondary market does exist for certain senior loans, the market may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods. Although senior loans in which the High Yield Floating Rate Fund will invest generally will be secured by specific collateral, there can be no assurance that liquidation of such collateral would satisfy the borrower’s obligation in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal or that such collateral could be readily liquidated. In the event of the bankruptcy of a borrower, the High Yield Floating Rate Fund could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of the collateral securing a senior loan. Moreover, any specific collateral used to secure a senior loan may decline in value or become illiquid, which would adversely affect the senior loan’s value. Uncollateralized senior loans involve a greater risk of loss. Some senior loans are subject to the risk that a court, pursuant to fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws, could subordinate the senior loans to presently existing or future indebtedness of the borrower or take other action detrimental to lenders, including the High Yield Floating Rate Fund, such as invalidation of senior loans.

Stock Risk. Stock prices have historically risen and fallen in periodic cycles. U.S. and foreign stock markets have experienced periods of substantial price volatility in the past and may do so again in the future.

Subsidiary and Tax Risk. The Commodity Strategy Fund, by investing in its wholly owned subsidiary organized as a company under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Subsidiary”), will be indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments, which are similar to those that are permitted to be held by the Commodity Strategy Fund. The Commodity Strategy Fund is limited in the extent to which it may invest directly in commodity-linked swaps or certain other commodity-linked derivatives. The Subsidiary may invest in these commodity-linked derivatives without limitation. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Subsidiary will be achieved. Because the Subsidiary is not registered under the Investment Company Act, it is not subject to all the investor protections thereof. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Commodity Strategy Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described in its prospectus and could adversely affect the Commodity Strategy Fund. The tax treatment of the Commodity Strategy Fund’s commodity-linked investments may be adversely affected by future legislation, Treasury Regulations, and/or guidance issued by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) that could affect whether income from such investments is “qualifying income” under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or otherwise affect the character, timing and/or amount of the Fund’s taxable income for any gains and distributions made by the Fund.

U.S. Government Securities Risk. The U.S. government may not provide financial support to U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law. Securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises (“U.S. Government Securities”). U.S. Government Securities issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) and Federal Home Loan Banks chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. It is possible that issuers of U.S.Government Securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future.

Further Information on Investment Objectives, Strategies and Risks of the Underlying Funds. A concise description of the investment objectives, practices and risks of each of the Underlying Funds that are currently expected to be used for investment by the Portfolio as of the date of this Prospectus is provided beginning on page 69 of this Prospectus.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney Loss of money is a risk of investing in the Portfolio.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus Non-Diversification Risk. Certain of the Underlying Funds are non-diversified and are permitted to invest more of their assets in fewer issuers than “diversified” mutual funds. Thus, such an Underlying Fund may be more susceptible to adverse developments affecting any single issuer held in its portfolio, and may be more susceptible to greater losses because of these developments.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution An investment in the Portfolio is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or any government agency.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Portfolio by showing: (a) changes in the performance of the Portfolio’s Institutional Shares from year to year; and (b) how the average annual total returns of the Portfolio’s Class A, Class C, Institutional, Service, Class IR and Class R Shares compare to those of certain broad-based securities market indices and to the Satellite Strategies Composite Index, a composite representation prepared by the Investment Adviser of the performance of the Portfolio’s asset classes weighted according to their respective weightings in the Portfolio’s target range. The Satellite Strategies Composite Index is comprised of the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (40%), the S&P 500® Index (30%), and the MSCI ® EAFE ® Index (30%). The Portfolio’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Portfolio will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available at no cost at www.goldmansachsfunds.com/performance or by calling the appropriate phone number on the back cover of this prospectus.

The bar chart (including “Best Quarter” and “Worst Quarter” information) does not reflect the sales loads applicable to Class A Shares. If the sales loads were reflected, returns would be less. Performance reflects expense limitations in effect.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Portfolio by showing: (a) changes in the performance of the Portfolio’s Institutional Shares from year to year; and (b) how the average annual total returns of the Portfolio’s Class A, Class C, Institutional, Service, Class IR and Class R Shares compare to those of certain broad-based securities market indices and to the Satellite Strategies Composite Index, a composite representation prepared by the Investment Adviser of the performance of the Portfolio’s asset classes weighted according to their respective weightings in the Portfolio’s target range.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.goldmansachsfunds.com/performance
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The Portfolio’s past performance,before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Portfolio will perform in the future.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading TOTAL RETURN CALENDAR YEAR (INSTITUTIONAL)
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads The bar chart (including “Best Quarter” and “Worst Quarter” information) does not reflect the sales loads applicable to Class A Shares. If the sales loads were reflected,returns would be less.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock Best Quarter
Q2 ’09    +22.24%
Worst Quarter
Q4 ’08    –28.94%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
For the period ended December 31, 2011
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. In addition, the after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold Portfolio shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text] rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown The after-tax returns are for Class A Shares only. The after-tax returns for Class C, Institutional, Service, Class IR and Class R Shares will vary.
Performance Table Narrative rr_PerformanceTableNarrativeTextBlock The after-tax returns are for Class A Shares only. The after-tax returns for Class C, Institutional, Service, Class IR and Class R Shares will vary. 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. In addition, the after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold Portfolio shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
Performance Table Closing [Text Block] rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock Updated performance information is available at no cost at www.goldmansachsfunds.com/performance or by calling the appropriate phone number on the back cover of this prospectus.
Goldman Sachs Satellite Strategies Portfolio | Class A Shares
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 5.50%
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of original purchase price or sale proceeds) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none [1]
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.24%
Service Fees rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Shareholder Administration Fees rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets none
All Other Expenses rr_Component3OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.24%
Acquired (Underlying) Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.89%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.50% [2]
Expense Limitation rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.04%) [3]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Expense Limitation rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.46% [2]
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 691
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 996
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,322
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,243
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (8.47%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (2.72%)
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 30, 2007
Goldman Sachs Satellite Strategies Portfolio | Class C Shares
  
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) (as a percentage of the lower of original purchase price or sale proceeds) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther 1.00% [1]
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.24%
Service Fees rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Shareholder Administration Fees rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets none
All Other Expenses rr_Component3OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.24%
Acquired (Underlying) Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.89%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 2.25% [2]
Expense Limitation rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.04%) [3]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Expense Limitation rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 2.21% [2]
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 324
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 701
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,203
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,586
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 224
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 701
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,203
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 2,586
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (5.80%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (2.29%)
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 30, 2007
Goldman Sachs Satellite Strategies Portfolio | Institutional Shares
  
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) (as a percentage of the lower of original purchase price or sale proceeds) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none [1]
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.09%
Service Fees rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Shareholder Administration Fees rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets none
All Other Expenses rr_Component3OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.09%
Acquired (Underlying) Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.89%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.10% [2]
Expense Limitation rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.04%) [3]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Expense Limitation rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.06% [2]
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 109
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 347
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 605
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,341
2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (41.81%)
2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 37.89%
2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 14.66%
2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (2.77%)
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 22.24%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (28.94%)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.77%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (1.23%)
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 30, 2007
Goldman Sachs Satellite Strategies Portfolio | Service Shares
  
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) (as a percentage of the lower of original purchase price or sale proceeds) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none [1]
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.59%
Service Fees rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.25%
Shareholder Administration Fees rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.25%
All Other Expenses rr_Component3OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.09%
Acquired (Underlying) Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.89%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.60% [2]
Expense Limitation rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.04%) [3]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Expense Limitation rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.56% [2]
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 159
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 502
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 869
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,901
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (3.26%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (1.56%)
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Aug. 29, 2008
Goldman Sachs Satellite Strategies Portfolio | Class IR Shares
  
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) (as a percentage of the lower of original purchase price or sale proceeds) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none [1]
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.24%
Service Fees rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Shareholder Administration Fees rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets none
All Other Expenses rr_Component3OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.24%
Acquired (Underlying) Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.89%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.25% [2]
Expense Limitation rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.04%) [3]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Expense Limitation rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.21% [2]
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 124
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 394
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 685
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,512
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.91%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (2.99%)
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 30, 2007
Goldman Sachs Satellite Strategies Portfolio | Class R Shares
  
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) (as a percentage of the lower of original purchase price or sale proceeds) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none [1]
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.12%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.50%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.24%
Service Fees rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets none
Shareholder Administration Fees rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets none
All Other Expenses rr_Component3OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.24%
Acquired (Underlying) Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.89%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.75% [2]
Expense Limitation rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.04%) [3]
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Expense Limitation rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.71% [2]
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 174
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 548
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 947
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,063
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (3.42%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (3.48%)
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 30, 2007
Goldman Sachs Satellite Strategies Portfolio | Returns After Taxes on Distributions | Class A Shares
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (9.54%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (4.17%)
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 30, 2007
Goldman Sachs Satellite Strategies Portfolio | Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Portfolio Shares | Class A Shares
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (5.26%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (3.07%)
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 30, 2007
Goldman Sachs Satellite Strategies Portfolio | S&P 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees or expenses) | Institutional Shares
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.11%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (0.40%)
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 30, 2007
Goldman Sachs Satellite Strategies Portfolio | S&P 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees or expenses) | Service Shares
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.11%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 1.66%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Aug. 29, 2008
Goldman Sachs Satellite Strategies Portfolio | S&P 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees or expenses) | Class R Shares
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.11%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (1.77%)
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 30, 2007
Goldman Sachs Satellite Strategies Portfolio | MSCI EAFE (gross) Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | Institutional Shares
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (11.73%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (5.28%)
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 30, 2007
Goldman Sachs Satellite Strategies Portfolio | MSCI EAFE (gross) Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | Service Shares
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (11.73%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (4.17%)
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Aug. 29, 2008
Goldman Sachs Satellite Strategies Portfolio | MSCI EAFE (gross) Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | Class R Shares
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (11.73%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (8.22%)
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 30, 2007
Goldman Sachs Satellite Strategies Portfolio | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees or expenses) | Institutional Shares
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 7.84%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.50%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 30, 2007
Goldman Sachs Satellite Strategies Portfolio | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees or expenses) | Service Shares
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 7.84%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.05%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Aug. 29, 2008
Goldman Sachs Satellite Strategies Portfolio | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees or expenses) | Class R Shares
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 7.84%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.31%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 30, 2007
Goldman Sachs Satellite Strategies Portfolio | Satellite Strategies Composite Index | Institutional Shares
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.34%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 1.37%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Mar. 30, 2007
Goldman Sachs Satellite Strategies Portfolio | Satellite Strategies Composite Index | Service Shares
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.34%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 2.68%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Aug. 29, 2008
Goldman Sachs Satellite Strategies Portfolio | Satellite Strategies Composite Index | Class R Shares
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.34%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception none
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 30, 2007
[1] A contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") of 1% is imposed on Class C Shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase.
[2] The Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratios of net and total expenses to average net assets provided in the Financial Highlights, which reflect the operating expenses of the Portfolio and do not include Acquired (Underlying) Fund Fees and Expenses.
[3] The Investment Adviser has agreed to reduce or limit "Other Expenses" (excluding service and shareholder administration fees, Acquired (Underlying) Fund Fees and Expenses, transfer agency fees and expenses, taxes, interest, brokerage fees, litigation, indemnification, shareholder meeting and other extraordinary expenses) to 0.004% of the Portfolio's average daily net assets, through at least April 27, 2013, and prior to such date, the Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangement without the approval of the Board of Trustees. The expense limitation may be modified or terminated by the Investment Adviser at its discretion and without shareholder approval after such date, although the Investment Adviser does not presently intend to do so. The Portfolio's "Other Expenses" may be further reduced by any custody and transfer agency fee credits received by the Portfolio.