Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Nov. 04, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Avid Technology, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0000896841
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		40,625,177