DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION Document - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Mar. 12, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	Avid Technology, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0000896841
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 222,066,526
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		40,864,915
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2017