Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2016	Sep. 29, 2016
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	PROGRESS SOFTWARE CORP /MA
Entity Central Index Key	0000876167
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Aug. 31, 2016
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--11-30
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		48,592,417