Document And Entity Information
Note To Financial Statement Details Textual
Significant Accounting Policies
Note 4 - Fair Value Measures
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Note 5 - Derivative Instruments
Note 6 - Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Note 7 - Segment Information
Note 8 - Business Combinations
Variable Rate [Domain]
Note 9 - Goodwill
Operating expenses
Variable Rate [Axis]
Note 10 - Intangible Assets
Note 11 - Common Stock and Earnings Per Share
Note 12 - Stockholders' Equity
Note 13 - Employee Stock Option and Retirement Plans
Note 14 - Stock-based Compensation
Note 15 - Income Taxes
Revenues from clients
Revenues
Note 16 - Long-term Debt
Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies
Note 4 - Fair Value Measures - Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value (Details)
Note 5 - Derivative Instruments - Hedging Positions and Corresponding Fair Values (Details)
Note 5 - Derivative Instruments - Fair Value Amounts of Derivative Instruments and Gains (Details)
Note 5 - Derivative Instruments - Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships (Details)
Note 6 - Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details)
Note 6 - Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Components of Other Comprehensive Loss (Details)
Note 7 - Segment Information - Results of Operations (Details)
Note 8 - Business Combinations - Business Acquired (Details)
Note 9 - Goodwill - Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Segment (Details)
Note 10 - Intangible Assets - Identifiable Intangible Assets (Details)
Note 10 - Intangible Assets - Estimated Amortization Expense (Details)
Note 11 - Common Stock and Earnings Per Share - Shares of Common Stock Outstanding (Details)
Note 11 - Common Stock and Earnings Per Share - Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (Details)
Note 12 - Stockholders' Equity - Dividends Declared (Details)
Note 13 - Employee Stock Option and Retirement Plans - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Details)
Note 13 - Employee Stock Option and Retirement Plans - Changes to the Current Estimate of the Vesting Percentage and Related Expense (Details)
Note 13 - Employee Stock Option and Retirement Plans - Changes to the Current Estimate of the Vesting Percentage and Related Expense (Details) (Parentheticals)
Note 13 - Employee Stock Option and Retirement Plans - Summary of Restricted Stock Award (Details)
Note 13 - Employee Stock Option and Retirement Plans - Summary of Share-based Awards Available for Grant (Details)
Note 14 - Stock-based Compensation - Summary of Stock Option Weighted Average Assumptions of Employee Stock Options (Details)
Note 14 - Stock-based Compensation - Summary of Stock Option Weighted Average Assumptions of Non-employee Director Stock Options (Details)
Note 14 - Stock-based Compensation - Summary of Stock Option Weighted Average Assumptions, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Details)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Note 15 - Income Taxes - Provision for Income Taxes (Details)
Note 15 - Income Taxes - Significant Components of Deferred Tax Assets (Details)
Note 15 - Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details)
Note 15 - Income Taxes - Major Tax Jurisdictions and Tax Years Subject to Examination (Details)
Note 16 - Long-term Debt - Debt Obligations (Details)
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingCapitalNet
Other working capital accounts, net
Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies - Future Minimum Lease Commitments (Details)
Long-term Debt [Text Block]
Notes To Financial Statements
Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]
Taxes payable, net of prepaid taxes
Money Market Funds [Member]
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredRevenue
Deferred fees
us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
Comprehensive income
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInEmployeeRelatedLiabilities
Accrued compensation
us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)
us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding
Balance (in shares)
Balance (in shares)
us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]
us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeeAmount
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Amount
Subsequent Event [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Lender [Domain]
Total $ Amount
Dividends, Cash
Lender Name [Axis]
Subsequent Event Type [Domain]
Subsequent Event Type [Axis]
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
Subsequent Events [Text Block]
us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty
Area of Real Estate Property
The 2017 Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Represents information about the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility.
PNC Bank, National Associations [Member]
Represents information about PNC Bank, National Associations as company's lender.
Major Types of Debt Securities [Domain]
us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method
Debt Security [Axis]
us-gaap_TreasuryStockValue
Treasury stock, at cost: 12,991,346 and 12,822,100 shares at November 30, 2017 and August 31, 2017, respectively
Relationship to Entity [Domain]
Title of Individual [Axis]
us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
Total liabilities measured at fair value
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredCharges
Deferred rent and other non-current liabilities
us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation
Shares Paid for Tax Withholding for Share Based Compensation
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredIncomeTaxes
Deferred income taxes
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidExpense
Prepaid expenses and other assets
Fair Value by Liability Class [Domain]
Liability Class [Axis]
us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense
us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans
Nature of Operations [Text Block]
us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
Exercised (in shares)
Share-based awards canceled/forfeited (in shares)
Common stock issued for employee stock plans (in shares)
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable
Accounts receivable, net of reserves
us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod
Forfeited (in shares)
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross
Tangible assets acquired
The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to tangible assets.
Granted (in shares)
us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable
us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss
Deferred taxes
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Four [Member]
Fourth portion of share-based compensation award differentiated by a particular vesting feature, including, but not limited to, performance measure or service period.
us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrent
Deferred taxes
us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxLiabilities
Total deferred tax liabilities
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Five [Member]
Fifth portion of share-based compensation award differentiated by a particular vesting feature, including, but not limited to, performance measure or service period.
us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsGross
Total deferred tax assets
India, Rupees
Other
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]
Purchased intangible assets, including acquired technology
us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassificationFromAccumulatedOCIToIncomeEstimatedNetAmountToBeTransferred
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassification from Accumulated OCI to Income, Estimated Net Amount to be Transferred
Depreciation on property, equipment and leasehold improvements
us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
Foreign currency forward contracts
us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
Foreign currency forward contracts
Accumulated unrealized gains on cash flow hedges, net of tax
Accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]
fds_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardMaximumContributionLimit
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Contribution Limit
The maximum amount of contributions per share-based compensation plan during the offering period.
fds_IncomeTaxRateReconciliationShareBasedCompensationExcessTaxBenefitAmount
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Share-based Compensation Excess Tax Benefit, Amount
Amount of difference between reported income tax expense (benefit) and expected income tax expense (benefit) computed by applying domestic federal statutory income tax rate to pretax income (loss) from continuing operation, attributable to excess tax benefit for share-based compensation cost.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
us-gaap_DisclosureTextBlockAbstract
Notes to Financial Statements
Stock-based compensation
fds_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumAmountOfAdditionalBorrowings
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Amount Of Additional Borrowings
The maximum aggregate amount of additional borrowings which is allowed under the credit facility provided that such request for additional borrowings meet the minimum borrowing requirement.
Other expense
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
fds_LineOfCreditFacilityMinimumBorrowingAmountRequiredForAdditionalBorrowings
Line of Credit Facility, Minimum Borrowing Amount Required for Additional Borrowings
The minimum borrowing amount that is required for the Company to arrange for additional borrowings with the lender under the credit facility.
Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain]
Measurement Frequency [Axis]
All Currencies [Domain]
Deferred Rent [Member]
Represents a deferred rent liability.
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions
Deferred tax assets:
Segment operating profit
us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Operating income
us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOther
Other
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)
Treasury Stock, Shares
Amendment Flag
us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesGoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssets
Purchased intangible assets, including acquired technology
Common stock, $.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized, 52,101,426 and 51,845,132 shares issued; 39,110,080 and 39,023,032 shares outstanding at November 30, 2017 and August 31, 2017, respectively
us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseRemainderOfFiscalYear
2018 (remaining nine months)
us-gaap_ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationOperatingActivities
Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)
Common Stock, Shares Authorized
us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseAfterYearFive
Thereafter
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)
Common Stock, Shares, Issued
Other assets
us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearThree
2020
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share
us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearTwo
2019
us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFive
2022
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
Stock-based compensation expense
us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFour
2021
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]
Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure [Text Block]
us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance
Current Fiscal Year End Date
Document Fiscal Period Focus
Document Fiscal Year Focus
Deferred tax liabilities:
Document Period End Date
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued
Cost of services
us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life
us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipment
Depreciation on property, equipment and leasehold improvements
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued
Document Type
us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent
Other comprehensive income (loss)
us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
Depreciation and amortization
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Information [Table]
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share
us-gaap_AssetsCurrent
Total current assets
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Entity Filer Category
BI-SAM Technologies [Member]
Represents information about acquisition of BI-SAM Technologies.
Entity Current Reporting Status
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]
Entity Voluntary Filers
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer
Measurement Basis [Axis]
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges recognized in AOCL, pre-tax
Malcolm Frank [Member]
Information pertaining to one of the directors, Malcolm Frank.
us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIOnDerivativesBeforeTax
Realized loss (gain) on cash flow hedges reclassified to earnings, pre-tax
Portion at Fair Value Measurement [Member]
dei_EntityNumberOfEmployees
Entity Number of Employees
us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share
Sheila B. Jordan [Member]
Information pertaining to one of the directors, Sheila B. Jordan.
Code Red, Inc. [Member]
The entity Code Red, Inc.
us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount
Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]
Share Repurchase Program [Domain]
Share Repurchase Program [Axis]
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Entity Central Index Key
Entity Registrant Name
Entity [Domain]
Total assets measured at fair value
Legal Entity [Axis]
Schedule of Stock by Class [Table Text Block]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)
Prepaid taxes
us-gaap_InterestPaid
Interest Paid
Additional paid-in capital
Mutual funds
Corporate money market funds
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]
Trading Symbol
us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount
Share Repurchase Program [Member]
Represents information related to the Share Repurchase Program.
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]
us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentBeforeTax
Foreign currency translation adjustments
us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 17)
us-gaap_Liabilities
TOTAL LIABILITIES
us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesNetOfTax
Unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges recognized in AOCL
us-gaap_NumberOfReportingUnits
Number of Reporting Units
us-gaap_OtherLiabilities
Other Liabilities
us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIOnDerivativesNetOfTax
Realized loss (gain) on cash flow hedges reclassified to earnings
Net unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges*
Performance Shares, Additional Granted [Member]
The additional performance shares granted during the period.
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Non-cancelable Operating Lease [Member]
Represents information pertaining to the non-cancelable operating lease.
Accounts receivable, reserves
Accounts receivable, net of reserves of $2,920 at November 30, 2017 and $2,738 at August 31, 2017
Statement [Line Items]
us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
Derivative instruments
Investments
UNITED STATES
ASSETS
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 [Member]
us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
Net cash used by financing activities
us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Fair Value Asset (Liability)
us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
Net cash used in investing activities
us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
Net cash provided by operating activities
us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTax
Other comprehensive income (loss), pre-tax
us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
Other comprehensive income (loss)
us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDue
Total
Thereafter
Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain]
Business Acquisition [Axis]
2021
2022
2019
us-gaap_ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationFinancingActivities
Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Type of Adoption [Domain]
Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis]
us-gaap_PaymentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation
Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation
2020
2018 (remaining nine months)
Long-term debt
Total Outstanding Debt
us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends
Dividend payments
Certificates of deposit
Fair value portion of certificates of deposit.
us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock
Repurchases of common stock
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Proceeds from employee stock plans
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Long-term Line of Credit
Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain]
us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid
Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis]
Equity Component [Domain]
Equity Components [Axis]
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Currency [Axis]
fds_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesFinancingActivities
Purchase of business
The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of a business classified as financing activities.
Other Assets [Member]
Goodwill Disclosure [Text Block]
Asset Class [Axis]
Asset Class [Domain]
Diluted weighted average common shares (in shares)
us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount
us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet
Net assets acquired
Vermilion Holdings Limited [Member]
Represents information about acquisition of Vermilion Holdings Limited.
Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]
us-gaap_SharePrice
Share Price
us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilities
Liabilities assumed
fds_IncreaseDecreaseInAreaOfRealEstateProperty
Increase (Decrease) in Area of Real Estate Property
The increase (decrease) in the area of a real estate property.
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)
Earnings Per Share, Diluted
fds_IncreaseDecreaseInAreaOfRealEstatePropertyPercent
Increase (Decrease) in Area of Real Estate Property, Percent
The percentage of increase (decrease) in the area of a real estate property.
ASR Agreement [Member]
Related to the ASR Agreement
Basic weighted average common shares (in shares)
Total assets acquired
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)
Balance Sheet Location [Domain]
Balance Sheet Location [Axis]
Federal Ministry of Finance, Germany [Member]
Scenario, Unspecified [Domain]
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industry, France [Member]
Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Scenario [Axis]
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Income Tax Authority, Name [Domain]
Amortizable intangible assets
Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) [Member]
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Income Tax Authority, Name [Axis]
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Summary of Income Tax Examinations [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt
Proceeds from debt
Income Tax Authority [Domain]
Income Tax Authority [Axis]
us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred
Income Statement Location [Domain]
Income Statement Location [Axis]
Maximum [Member]
Range [Domain]
Open tax year
Minimum [Member]
us-gaap_PurchaseCommitmentRemainingMinimumAmountCommitted
Purchase Commitment, Remaining Minimum Amount Committed
Range [Axis]
us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
Unrecognized income tax benefits
Unrecognized income tax benefits
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year
us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities
Reductions from settlements with taxing authorities
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Axis]
us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsInterestOnIncomeTaxesAccrued
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Accrued
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Domain]
Additions for tax positions of prior years
Mutual Funds [Member]
Represents information about an investment program funded by shareholders that trades in diversified holdings and is professionally managed.
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Latest Tax Year [Member]
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]
Schedule of Income before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign [Table Text Block]
Summary of Income Tax Contingencies [Table Text Block]
Tax Period [Domain]
Tax Period [Axis]
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]
Europe [Member]
Geographical [Domain]
Asia Pacific [Member]
Geographical [Axis]
Deferred rent and other non-current liabilities
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]
Payment Date
Dividends Declared [Table Text Block]
Trade Names [Member]
us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
Income before income taxes
Income before income taxes
Deferred taxes
us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent
Deferred rent
Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences from deferred rent.
Provision for income taxes
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Receivable reserve
Amount, before allocation of valuation allowance, of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences from receivables and reserves.
Record Date
us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations
Effective tax rate
Dividends Per Share of Common Stock (in dollars per share)
Dividends [Domain]
Gross Notional Value
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount
us-gaap_PolicyTextBlockAbstract
Accounting Policies
Dividends [Axis]
Statement [Table]
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
us-gaap_DeferredRevenueNoncurrent
Deferred fees
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Income Statement [Abstract]
us-gaap_AccruedIncomeTaxesNoncurrent
Taxes payable
Class of Stock [Axis]
Award Type [Axis]
Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares [Table Text Block]
fds_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesSharebasedCompensation
Stock-based compensation
Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences from share-based compensation.
Equity Award [Domain]
Customer Relationships [Member]
Computer Software, Intangible Asset [Member]
Schedule of Cash Flow Hedges Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]
Schedule of Derivatives Instruments Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location [Table Text Block]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain]
Schedule of Foreign Exchange Contracts, Statement of Financial Position [Table Text Block]
fds_PercentOfForeignExchangeContractsHedged
Percent of Foreign Exchange Contracts Hedged
Represents the percent of foreign exchange contracts hedged.
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis]
Hedging Relationship [Domain]
Hedging Relationship [Axis]
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
fds_GoodwillPercentagePerSegment
Goodwill Percentage Per Segment
Allocation of goodwill per segment. Expressed as a percentage.
us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Data Content [Member]
Represents information related to data content.
Per Annum [Member]
This item represents information measured at an annual rate.
us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent
Total current liabilities
us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired
Hedging Designation [Domain]
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block]
Hedging Designation [Axis]
us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxSettlements
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Settlement, Amount
Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]
Other Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Represents information related to other restricted stock awards.
us-gaap_OperatingExpenses
Total operating expenses
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights Award Activity [Table Text Block]
Foreign currency translations
us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesCurrent
Deferred taxes
Other adjustments
Dividend yield
Dividend yield
Derivative assets
Derivative liabilities
us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod
Goodwill, Acquired During Period
us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense
Operating Leases, Rent Expense
Term structure of risk-free interest rate
Risk-free interest rate
Term structure of volatility
Expected volatility
Deferred fees
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]
Expected life (years) (Year)
Expected life (years) (Year)
Derivative Contract [Domain]
Derivative Instrument [Axis]
Non Performance Based [Member]
Non performance based member.
Schedule of Share-based Compensation Vesting Percentage and Related Expenses [Table Text Block]
Tabular disclosure of share-based compensation vesting percentages and related expenses.
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]
Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment
Amount of cumulative catch-up adjustment related to awards expected to vest.
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Restricted stock forfeited (in dollars per share)
Remaining Expense to be Recognized
Amount of remaining expense to be recognized for awards expected to vest.
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Restricted stock vested (in dollars per share)
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Restricted stock balance (in dollars per share)
Restricted stock balance (in dollars per share)
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number
Restricted stock balance (in shares)
Restricted stock balance (in shares)
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted stock granted (in dollars per share)
Restricted stock granted (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
Restricted stock forfeited (in shares)
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period
Restricted stock vested (in shares)
Non Employee Directors Stock Option Plan [Member]
Non employee directors stock option plan member.
us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number
Taxes payable
us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInvestments
Purchases of investments
us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1
Severance Costs
Weighted average estimated fair value (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Norwalk Connecticut [Member]
Norwalk connecticut member.
fds_LargestIndividualClientPercentOfTotalSubscriptions
Largest Individual Client Percent Of Total Subscriptions
Percentage of total subscriptions allocated to the largest client.
Dividends payable
fds_PercentageOfSubscriptionFromTenLargestClients
Percentage of Subscription from Ten Largest Clients
Represents the percentage of subscription from the ten largest clients.
Accrued compensation
us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss
Goodwill, Impairment Loss
us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_FinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired1
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price
Balance (in dollars per share)
Balance (in dollars per share)
Forfeited (in dollars per share)
Granted (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock, weighted average common share (denominator) (in shares)
Exercised (in dollars per share)
us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
Amortization of Intangible Assets
Repurchase of Common Stock from Employees [Member]
Represents information pertaining to the repurchase of common stock from employees.
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number
Balance (in shares)
Balance (in shares)
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumEmployeeSubscriptionRate
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Employee Subscription Rate
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]
LIABILITIES
Income available to common stockholders, net income (numerator)
us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionAmount
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Discretionary Contribution Amount
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant
Balance (in shares)
Balance (in shares)
Income available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions, net income (numerator)
Fair value as a percentage of exercise price
Total assets
us-gaap_Assets
TOTAL ASSETS
us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromShortTermInvestments
Proceeds from sales of investments
us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardPurchasePriceOfCommonStockPercent
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Purchase Price of Common Stock, Percent
us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionPercent
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Employees' Gross Pay
us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanMaximumAnnualContributionsPerEmployeePercent
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Percent
The 2004 Stock Option and Award Plan [Member]
Represents information pertaining to the FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2004 Stock Option and Award Plan, as Amended and Restated (the "Option Plan") which provides for the grant of share-based awards, including stock options and restricted stock awards, to employees of FactSet.
us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period
fds_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsShareEquivalent
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Share Equivalent
Represents the option share equivalent of an equity instrument other than options.
Vesting percentage
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage
The 2008 Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Employee Stock Purchase Plan adopted in 2008 and amended in 2014.
Capital expenditures
us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Purchases of property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net of proceeds from dispositions
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period
us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets
Loss on sale of assets
fds_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionVestingPeriod
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Vesting Period
Vesting schedule of company 401(k) matching contributions.
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member]
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]
Vesting [Domain]
Net income
Net income
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Three [Member]
Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member]
Plan Name [Axis]
Selling, general and administrative
Vesting [Axis]
Plan Name [Domain]
us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized
Disclosure of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition
Performance Shares [Member]
Restricted Stock [Member]
Intangible assets, net
Net Carrying Amount
us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet
Total
Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain]
us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs, Capitalized Amount
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Accumulated Amortization
Gross Carrying Amount
Antidilutive Securities [Axis]
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Goodwill
Goodwill
Begining Balance
Ending Balance
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net
us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
Long-term Debt, Fair Value
us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate
us-gaap_TableTextBlock
Notes Tables
Derivative instruments
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]