Morningstar (MORN) 10-Q 6 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Document and Entity Information Abstract	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'MORNINGSTAR, INC.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001289419	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	45,953,013

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenue	$173,482		$160,952		$517,766	$487,679
Operating expense (1):	'		'		'	'
Cost of revenue	72,422	[1]	60,568	[1]	198,499	186,143
Sales and marketing	22,774	[1]	25,732	[1]	78,789	81,431
General and administrative	22,416	[1]	23,966	[1]	77,863	77,090
Depreciation and amortization	11,257	[1]	10,822	[1]	33,858	31,616
Total operating expense	128,869	[1]	121,088	[1]	389,009	376,280
Operating income (loss)	44,613		39,864		128,757	111,399
Non-operating income (expense):	'		'		'	'
Interest income (expense), net	630		1,719		2,035	3,848
Gain (loss) on sale of investments reclassified from other comprehensive income	-42		-4		1,106	-52
Equity Method Investments Holding Gain	-78		0		3,635	0
Other income (expense), net	261		165		-1,949	-262
Non-operating income (expense), net	771		1,880		4,827	3,534
Income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated entities	45,384		41,744		133,584	114,933
Income tax expense	14,265		15,186		42,647	41,441
Equity in net income of unconsolidated entities	315		478		1,172	1,541
Consolidated net income	31,434		27,036		92,109	75,033
Net (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	29		34		93	62
Net income attributable to Morningstar, Inc.	$31,463		$27,070		$92,202	$75,095
Net income per share attributable to:	'		'		'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.68		$0.56		$1.99	$1.53
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.68		$0.56		$1.98	$1.51
Dividends declared per common share	$0		$0.10		$0.25	$0.30
Dividends paid per common share	$0.13		$0.10		$0.25	$0.30
Weighted average shares outstanding:	'		'		'	'
Basic (in shares)	46,080		47,975		46,293	49,028
Diluted (in shares)	46,519		48,481		46,635	49,664
[1]	Three months ended September 30 Nine months ended September 30 2013 2012 2013 2012(1) Includes stock-based compensation expense of: Cost of revenue $1,471 $1,619 $4,863 $4,739Sales and marketing 456 493 1,490 1,433General and administrative 1,489 1,882 4,800 5,422Total stock-based compensation expense $3,416 $3,994 $11,153 $11,594

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
(1) Includes stock-based compensation expense of:	'	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$3,416	$3,994	$11,153	$11,594
Cost of Revenue	'	'	'	'
(1) Includes stock-based compensation expense of:	'	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	1,471	1,619	4,863	4,739
Sales and Marketing	'	'	'	'
(1) Includes stock-based compensation expense of:	'	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	456	493	1,490	1,433
General and Administrative	'	'	'	'
(1) Includes stock-based compensation expense of:	'	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$1,489	$1,882	$4,800	$5,422

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Consolidated net income	$31,434	$27,036	$92,109	$75,033
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	11,247	7,375	-4,952	5,597
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments, net of income tax of $605	774	1,026	1,774	1,394
Reclassification of adjustments for losses (gains) included in net income, net of income tax of $399	28	0	-706	33
Other comprehensive income (loss), net	12,049	8,401	-3,884	7,024
Comprehensive income (loss), net	43,483	35,437	88,225	82,057
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	40	16	246	77
Comprehensive income attributable to Morningstar, Inc.	$43,523	$35,453	$88,471	$82,134

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$176,959	$163,889
Investments	165,918	157,529
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $1,005 and $569, respectively	113,688	114,361
Deferred tax asset, net	3,155	3,741
Income tax receivable, net	3,451	14,267
Other	26,229	20,823
Total current assets	489,400	474,610
Property, equipment, and capitalized software, net	99,007	84,022
Investments in unconsolidated entities	38,376	35,305
Goodwill	326,741	320,845
Intangible assets, net	109,269	116,732
Other assets	11,357	10,438
Total assets	1,074,150	1,041,952
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	35,984	43,777
Accrued compensation	60,745	67,317
Deferred revenue	151,850	146,015
Other	6,760	256
Total current liabilities	255,339	257,365
Accrued compensation	8,467	8,281
Deferred tax liability, net	22,188	21,583
Deferred rent	13,966	15,368
Other long-term liabilities	15,714	12,460
Total liabilities	315,674	315,057
Morningstar, Inc. shareholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock, no par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, of which 46,068,303 and 46,541,571 shares were outstanding, respectively	5	5
Treasury stock at cost, 6,024,254 shares and 5,214,070 shares, respectively	-358,616	-301,839
Additional paid-in capital	533,146	521,285
Retained earnings	576,828	496,354
Accumulated other comprehensive income:	'	'
Currency translation adjustment	4,126	8,925
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities	1,855	787
Total accumulated other comprehensive income	5,981	9,712
Total Morningstar, Inc. shareholders' equity	757,344	725,517
Noncontrolling interest	1,132	1,378
Total equity	758,476	726,895
Total liabilities and equity	$1,074,150	$1,041,952

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current	$1,005	$569
Common Stock, No Par Value	$0	$0
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	46,068,303	46,541,571
Treasury Stock, Shares	6,024,254	5,214,070

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Treasury Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Non Controlling Interests
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$726,895	$5	($301,839)	$521,285	$496,354	$9,712	$1,378
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	46,541,571	46,541,571	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net Income (Loss)	92,109	'	'	'	92,202	'	-93
Other Comprehensive Income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments, net of income tax of $605	1,774	'	'	'	'	1,774	0
Reclassification of adjustments for losses (gains) included in net income, net of income tax of $399	-706	'	'	'	'	-706	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net	-4,952	'	'	'	'	-4,799	-153
Other comprehensive income (loss), net	-3,884	'	'	'	'	-3,731	-153
Issuance of common stock related to stock-option exercises and vesting of restricted stock units, net	-2,104	0	1,350	-3,454	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock related to stock-option exercises and vesting of restricted stock units, net (in shares)	'	356,023	'	'	'	'	'
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation - restricted stock units	10,493	'	'	10,493	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation - restricted stock	291	'	'	291	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation - stock options	369	'	'	369	'	'	'
Excess tax benefit derived from stock-option exercises and vesting of restricted stock units	4,093	'	'	4,093	'	'	'
Common share repurchased	-58,127	'	-58,127	'	'	'	'
Common share repurchased (in shares)	'	-829,291	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends declared - common shares outstanding	-11,578	'	'	'	-11,578	'	'
Dividends declared - restricted stock units	-81	'	'	69	-150	'	'
Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$758,476	$5	($358,616)	$533,146	$576,828	$5,981	$1,132
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2013	46,068,303	46,068,303	'	'	'	'	'

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Tax	$605
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment for Sale of Securities Included in Net Income, Tax	$399

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Operating activities	'	'
Consolidated net income	$92,109	$75,033
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	33,858	31,616
Deferred income taxes	-2,315	492
Stock-based compensation expense	11,153	11,594
Provision for bad debt	730	990
Equity in net income of unconsolidated entities	-1,172	-1,541
Excess tax benefits from stock-option exercises and vesting of restricted stock units	-4,093	-5,007
Holding gain upon acquisition of additional ownership of equity method investments	-3,635	0
Other, net	12	342
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-1,249	-6,569
Other assets	-2,887	-3,551
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-3,151	-4,316
Accrued compensation	-8,404	-20,851
Income taxes- current	17,205	7,220
Deferred revenue	6,004	7,684
Deferred rent	-1,273	291
Other liabilities	-679	-1,111
Cash provided by operating activities	132,213	92,316
Investing activities	'	'
Purchases of investments	-113,824	-134,929
Proceeds from maturities and sales of investments	108,599	216,350
Capital expenditures	-27,950	-22,876
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-11,079	0
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses	957	0
Purchases of equity and cost method investments	-2,751	-10,304
Other, net	432	-4
Cash used for investing activities	-45,616	48,237
Financing activities	'	'
Proceeds from stock-option exercises, net	3,172	6,752
Employee taxes withheld for restricted stock units	-5,276	-3,992
Excess tax benefits from stock-option exercises and vesting of restricted stock units	4,093	5,007
Common shares repurchased	-62,794	-183,698
Dividends paid	-11,657	-14,867
Other, net	-54	-18
Cash provided by (used for) financing activities	-72,516	-190,816
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-1,011	2,007
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	13,070	-48,256
Cash and cash equivalents-beginning of period	163,889	200,437
Cash and cash equivalents-end of period	176,959	152,181
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:	'	'
Cash paid for income taxes	27,700	33,163
Supplemental information of non-cash investing and financing activities:	'	'
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Available For Sale Investments	1,675	2,221
NonCashFinancingArrangement	$4,860	$0

Basis_of_Presentation_of_Inter

Basis of Presentation of Interim Financial Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation of Interim Financial Information	'
	Basis of Presentation of Interim Financial Information
	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of Morningstar, Inc. and subsidiaries (Morningstar, we, our, the Company) have been prepared to conform to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the opinion of management, the statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary to present fairly our financial position, results of operations, equity, and cash flows. These financial statements and notes are unaudited and should be read in conjunction with our Audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2013.
	Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to our current period's presentation. We now include development expense in the cost of revenue category, which we previously referred to as cost of goods sold. We have reclassified development expense to include it in cost of revenue for all periods presented.
	Separately, as a result of our recent reorganization (including new positions created, changes in focus for some existing roles, and the refinement of employee cost categorizations as we moved to a more centralized structure), approximately 180 net positions shifted from the general and administrative and sales and marketing categories to cost of revenue. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared with the corresponding periods in 2012, we estimate that changes related to our more centralized organizational structure added approximately $7 million of compensation expense to cost of revenue, and reduced the compensation expense in our sales and marketing and general and administrative expense categories by approximately $4 million and $3 million, respectively. These changes did not affect our total operating expense or operating income for any of the periods presented.
	The acronyms that appear in the Notes to our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements refer to the following:
	ASC: Accounting Standards Codification
	ASU: Accounting Standards Update
	FASB: Financial Accounting Standards Board

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Acquisitions
	Increased Ownership Interest in Morningstar Sweden AB
	In May 2013, we acquired an additional 76% interest in Morningstar Sweden AB (Morningstar Sweden), increasing our ownership to 100% from 24%. Morningstar’s main offerings in Sweden include Morningstar Direct, Morningstar Data, Integrated Web Tools, and Morningstar.se, an investment information website for individual investors that provides fund and ETF data, portfolio tools, and market analysis. We began consolidating the financial results of this acquisition in our Consolidated Financial Statements on May 2, 2013.
	Morningstar Sweden's total estimated fair value of $18,513,000 includes $14,554,000 in cash paid to acquire the remaining 76% interest in Morningstar Sweden and $3,959,000 related to the 24% of Morningstar Sweden we previously held. We determined the fair value of the previously held 24% investment independent of the acquired controlling interest by applying a minority interest discount based on analysis of comparable transactions. Accordingly, we recorded a non-cash holding gain of $3,635,000. The gain is included in non-operating income in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income.
	The following table summarizes our allocation of the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition:
			$0
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	3,472
	Accounts receivable and other current assets		519
	Other non-current assets		244
	Intangible assets		9,700
	Goodwill		9,084
	Deferred revenue		(1,191		)
	Deferred tax liability		(2,272		)
	Other current and non-current liabilities		(1,043		)
	Total fair value of Morningstar Sweden		$	18,513
	The allocation includes acquired intangible assets, as follows:
			$0			Weighted Average Useful Life (years)
	Customer-related assets		$	9,700		14
	Total intangible assets		$	9,700		14
	We recognized a deferred tax liability of $2,272,000 mainly because the amortization expense related to certain intangible assets is not deductible for income tax purposes.
	Goodwill of $9,084,000 represents the premium over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired with this acquisition. We paid this premium for a number of reasons, including the opportunity to offer Morningstar's full suite of products and services to investors in Sweden and further leverage Morningstar's global reach, investment databases, and technology expertise.
	Goodwill
	The following table shows the changes in our goodwill balances from December 31, 2012 to September 30, 2013:
		$0
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	320,845
	Acquisition of remaining ownership in Morningstar Sweden	9,084
	Other, primarily foreign currency translation	(3,188		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	326,741
	We did not record any significant impairment losses in the first nine months of 2013 or 2012. We perform our annual impairment reviews in the fourth quarter.
	Intangible Assets
	The following table summarizes our intangible assets:
			As of September 30, 2013										As of December 31, 2012
	$0		Gross			Accumulated			Net		Weighted		Gross		Accumulated			Net		Weighted
						Amortization					Average				Amortization					Average
											Useful  Life									Useful  Life
											(years)									(years)
	Intellectual property		$	29,799		$	(22,778	)	$	7,021	9		$	30,621	$	(21,527	)	$	9,094	9
	Customer-related assets		141,824			(71,343		)	70,481		12		132,798		(63,005		)	69,793		12
	Supplier relationships		240			(105		)	135		20		240		(96		)	144		20
	Technology-based assets		80,553			(49,017		)	31,536		9		81,333		(43,809		)	37,524		9
	Non-competition agreement		1,692			(1,596		)	96		4		1,765		(1,588		)	177		4
	Total intangible assets		$	254,108		$	(144,839	)	$	109,269	10		$	246,757	$	(130,025	)	$	116,732	10
	The following table summarizes our amortization expense related to intangible assets:
			Three months ended September 30						Nine months ended September 30
	$0		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Amortization expense		$	5,287		$	5,941		$	16,249	$	17,972
	We amortize intangible assets using the straight-line method over their expected economic useful lives.
	We expect intangible amortization expense for 2013 and subsequent years as follows:
			$0
	2013		$	21,510
	2014		20,507
	2015		19,687
	2016		15,118
	2017		10,579
	2018		8,593
	Our estimates of future amortization expense for intangible assets may be affected by additional acquisitions, divestitures, changes in the estimated average useful life, and currency translations.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	We discuss our significant accounting policies in Note 3 of our Audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2013.
	In addition, effective January 1, 2013, we adopted FASB ASU No. 2013-2, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220). The amended guidance requires us to show the effects of items reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income to net income on the face of the financial statement where net income is presented. The adoption of ASU No. 2013-2 did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
	Furthermore, beginning with the third quarter of 2013, we revised our segment structure to reflect our shift to a more centralized organizational structure. We now report our results in a single reportable segment, which reflects how our chief operating decision maker allocates resources and evaluates our financial results.

Income_Per_Share

Income Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Income Per Share	'
	Income Per Share
	The following table shows how we reconcile our net income and the number of shares used in computing basic and diluted income per share:
		Three months ended September 30							Nine months ended September 30
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2013				2012			2013			2012
	Basic net income per share attributable to Morningstar, Inc.:
	Net income attributable to Morningstar, Inc.:	$	31,463			$	27,070		$	92,202		$	75,095
	Less: Distributed earnings available to participating securities	—				(12		)	(5		)	(39		)
	Less: Undistributed earnings available to participating securities	(11		)		(53		)	(29		)	(144		)
	Numerator for basic net income per share — undistributed and distributed earnings available to common shareholders	$	31,452			$	27,005		$	92,168		$	74,912
	Weighted average common shares outstanding	46,080				47,975			46,293			49,028
	Basic net income per share attributable to Morningstar, Inc.	$	0.68			$	0.56		$	1.99		$	1.53
	Diluted net income per share attributable to Morningstar, Inc.:
	Numerator for basic net income per share — undistributed and distributed earnings available to common shareholders	$	31,452			$	27,005		$	92,168		$	74,912
	Add: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	11				53			29			144
	Less: Undistributed earnings reallocated to participating securities	(11		)		(53		)	(29		)	(142		)
	Numerator for diluted net income per share — undistributed and distributed earnings available to common shareholders	$	31,452			$	27,005		$	92,168		$	74,914
	Weighted average common shares outstanding	46,080				47,975			46,293			49,028
	Net effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units	439				506			342			636
	Weighted average common shares outstanding for computing diluted income per share	46,519				48,481			46,635			49,664
	Diluted net income per share attributable to Morningstar, Inc.	$	0.68			$	0.56		$	1.98		$	1.51
	The following table shows the number of weighted average stock options, restricted stock units, and restricted stock excluded from our calculation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive:
		Three months ended September 30						Nine months ended September 30
	(in thousands)	2013			2012			2013		2012
	Weighted average stock options	—			9			—		12
	Weighted average restricted stock units	1			—			19		81
	Weighted average restricted stock	—			—			—		—
	Total	1			9			19		93
	These stock options and restricted stock units could be included in the calculation in the future.

Segment_and_Geographical_Area_

Segment and Geographical Area Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment and Geographical Area Information	'
	Segment, Enterprise-Wide, and Geographical Area Information
	Segment Information
	Beginning with the third quarter of 2013, we revised our segment structure to reflect our shift to a more centralized organizational structure. We now report our results in a single reportable segment, which reflects how our chief operating decision maker allocates resources and evaluates our financial results.
	Because we have one reportable segment, all required financial segment information can be found directly in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
	The accounting policies for our single reportable segment are the same as those described in “Note 3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. We evaluate the performance of our reporting segment based on revenue and operating income.
	Products and Services Information
	We derive revenue from two product groups. The investment information product group includes all of our data, software, and research products and services. These products are typically sold through subscriptions or license agreements. The investment management product group includes all of our asset management operations, which earn the majority of their revenue from asset-based fees. The table below summarizes our revenue by product group.
	External revenue by product group
		Three months ended September 30				Nine months ended September 30
	$0	2013		2012		2013		2012
	Investment information	$	137,216	$	128,392	$	412,332	$	388,468
	Investment management	36,266		32,560		105,434		99,211
	Consolidated revenue	$	173,482	$	160,952	$	517,766	$	487,679
	Geographical Area Information
	The tables below summarize our revenue and long-lived assets by geographical area.
	External revenue by geographical area
		Three months ended September 30				Nine months ended September 30
	$0	2013		2012		2013		2012
	United States	$	124,998	$	114,021	$	372,746	$	346,442
	United Kingdom	14,148		13,711		41,316		42,160
	Europe, excluding the United Kingdom	14,666		11,643		41,826		35,980
	Australia	8,041		10,090		26,569		29,230
	Canada	7,603		7,605		23,151		22,351
	Asia, excluding Japan	2,580		2,420		7,836		7,156
	Japan	783		924		2,400		2,889
	Other	663		538		1,922		1,471
	Total International	48,484		46,931		145,020		141,237
	Consolidated revenue	$	173,482	$	160,952	$	517,766	$	487,679
	Long-lived assets by geographical area
		As of September 30		As of December 31
	$0	2013		2012
	United States	$	77,713	$	60,371
	United Kingdom	6,611		7,435
	Europe, excluding the United Kingdom	2,061		2,356
	Australia	1,184		1,402
	Canada	1,400		1,773
	Asia, excluding Japan	9,863		10,445
	Japan	45		84
	Other	130		156
	Total International	21,294		23,651
	Consolidated property, equipment, and capitalized software, net	$	99,007	$	84,022

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea

Investments and Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Investments and Fair Value Measurements	'
	Investments and Fair Value Measurements
	We account for our investments in accordance with FASB ASC 320, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities. We classify our investments in three categories: available-for-sale, held-to-maturity, and trading. We monitor the concentration, diversification, maturity, and liquidity of our investment portfolio, which is primarily invested in fixed-income securities, and classify our investment portfolio as shown below:
			As of September 30			As of December 31
	$0		2013			2012
	Available-for-sale		$	129,316		$	125,786
	Held-to-maturity		29,307			26,357
	Trading securities		7,295			5,386
	Total		$	165,918		$	157,529
	The following table shows the cost, unrealized gains (losses), and fair values related to investments classified as available-for-sale and held-to-maturity:
			As of September 30, 2013													As of December 31, 2012
	$0		Cost			Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair
						Gain				Loss				Value				Gain		Loss			Value
	Available-for-sale:
	Government obligations		$	28,515		$	8			$	(24	)		$	28,499	$	40,669	$	29	$	(608	)	$	40,090
	Corporate bonds		67,763			13				(223		)		67,553		49,339		36		(292		)	49,083
	Foreign obligations		1,297			—				(16		)		1,281		2,437		1		(19		)	2,419
	Commercial paper		9,986			—				(1		)		9,985		2,000		—		—			2,000
	Equity securities and exchange-traded funds		8,226			1,001				(156		)		9,071		19,613		1,359		(323		)	20,649
	Mutual funds		10,624			2,395				(92		)		12,927		10,499		1,092		(46		)	11,545
	Total		$	126,411		$	3,417			$	(512	)		$	129,316	$	124,557	$	2,517	$	(1,288	)	$	125,786
	Held-to-maturity:
	Certificates of deposit		$	29,307		$	—			$	—			$	29,307	$	26,357	$	—	$	—		$	26,357
	As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, investments with unrealized losses for greater than a 12-month period were not material to the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and were not deemed to have other than temporary declines in value.
	The table below shows the cost and fair value of investments classified as available-for-sale and held-to-maturity based on their contractual maturities as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The expected maturities of certain fixed-income securities may differ from their contractual maturities because some of these holdings have call features that allow the issuers the right to prepay obligations without penalties.
			As of September 30, 2013							As of December 31, 2012
	$0		Cost			Fair Value				Cost				Fair Value
	Available-for-sale:
	Due in one year or less		$	53,470		$	53,308			$	87,599			$	86,784
	Due in one to two years		54,091			54,010				6,846				6,808
	Equity securities, exchange-traded funds, and mutual funds		18,850			21,998				30,112				32,194
	Total		$	126,411		$	129,316			$	124,557			$	125,786
	Held-to-maturity:
	Due in one year or less		$	29,303		$	29,303			$	26,352			$	26,352
	Due in one to three years		4			4				5				5
	Total		$	29,307		$	29,307			$	26,357			$	26,357
	As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, held-to-maturity investments included a $1,500,000 certificate of deposit held primarily as collateral against bank guarantees for our office leases, primarily in Australia.
	The following table shows the realized gains and losses arising from sales of our investments classified as available-for-sale recorded in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income:
			Three months ended September 30					Nine months ended September 30
	$0		2013		2012			2013				2012
	Realized gains		94		219			$	2,320			$	689
	Realized losses		(136	)	(222	)		(1,214		)		(741		)
	Realized gains (losses), net		(42	)	(3	)		$	1,106			$	(52	)
	We determine realized gains and losses using the specific identification method.
	The following table shows the net unrealized gains (losses) on trading securities as recorded in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income:
			Three months ended September 30					Nine months ended September 30
	$0		2013		2012			2013				2012
	Unrealized gains (losses), net		(741	)	181			$	(468	)		$	337
	The fair value of our assets subject to fair value measurements and that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis using the fair value hierarchy and the necessary disclosures under FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement, are as follows:
			Fair Value			Fair Value Measurements as of September 30, 2013
			as of			Using Fair Value Hierarchy
	$0		September 30, 2013			Level 1				Level 2				Level 3
	Available-for-sale investments:
	Government obligations		$	28,499		$	—			$	28,499			$	—
	Corporate bonds		67,553			—				67,553				—
	Foreign obligations		1,281			—				1,281				—
	Commercial paper		9,985			—				9,985				—
	Equity securities and exchange-traded funds		9,071			9,071				—				—
	Mutual funds		12,927			12,927				—				—
	Trading securities		7,295			7,295				—				—
	Cash equivalents		18,990			18,990				—				—
	Total		$	155,601		$	48,283			$	107,318			$	—
			Fair Value			Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2012
			as of			Using Fair Value Hierarchy
$0		December 31, 2012			Level 1				Level 2				Level 3
Available-for-sale investments:
Government obligations		$	40,090		$	—			$	40,090			$	—
Corporate bonds		49,083			—				49,083				—
Foreign obligations		2,419			—				2,419				—
Commercial paper		2,000			—				2,000				—
Equity securities and exchange-traded funds		20,649			20,649				—				—
Mutual funds		11,545			11,545				—				—
Trading securities		5,386			5,386				—				—
Cash equivalents		398			398				—				—
Total		$	131,570		$	37,978			$	93,592			$	—
Level 1:	Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access.
Level 2:	Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3:	Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.
Based on our analysis of the nature and risks of our investments in equity securities and mutual funds, we have determined that presenting each of these investment categories in the aggregate is appropriate.
We measure the fair value of money market funds, mutual funds, equity securities, and exchange-traded funds based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. All other financial instruments were valued either based on recent trades of securities in inactive markets or based on quoted market prices of similar instruments and other significant inputs derived from observable market data. We did not hold any securities categorized as Level 3 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

Investments_in_Unconsolidated_

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities [Abstract]	'
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities	'
	Investments in Unconsolidated Entities
	Our investments in unconsolidated entities consist primarily of the following:
		As of September 30			As of December 31
	$0	2013			2012
	Investment in MJKK	$	21,359		$	20,540
	Other equity method investments	6,322			6,288
	Investments accounted for using the cost method	10,695			8,477
	Total investments in unconsolidated entities	$	38,376		$	35,305
	Morningstar Japan K.K. Morningstar Japan K.K. (MJKK) develops and markets products and services customized for the Japanese market. MJKK’s shares are traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under the ticker 47650. We account for our investment in MJKK using the equity method. The following table summarizes our ownership percentage in MJKK and the market value of this investment based on MJKK’s publicly quoted share price:
		As of September 30			As of December 31
		2013			2012
	Morningstar’s approximate ownership of MJKK	34		%	34		%
	Approximate market value of Morningstar’s ownership in MJKK:
	Japanese yen (¥000)	¥	8,558,222		¥	3,109,579
	Equivalent U.S. dollars ($000)	$	87,123		$	36,227
	Other Equity Method Investments. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, other equity method investments consist of our investment in Inquiry Financial Europe AB (Inquiry Financial) and YCharts, Inc. (YCharts). Inquiry Financial is a provider of sell-side consensus estimate data. Our ownership interest in Inquiry Financial was approximately 34% as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. YCharts is a technology company that provides stock research and analysis. Our ownership interest in YCharts was approximately 22% as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
	As of December 31, 2012, other equity-method investments also included our investment in Morningstar Sweden. Our ownership interest and profit-and-loss sharing interest in Morningstar Sweden was 24% at that date. In May 2013, we acquired an additional 76% interest in Morningstar Sweden, increasing our ownership to 100%. Upon acquiring the full ownership, we recorded a non-cash gain of $3,635,000. This gain represents the difference between the estimated fair value and the book value of our investment in Morningstar Sweden at the date of acquisition. Because Morningstar Sweden is now a wholly owned subsidiary, we no longer account for our investment using the equity method. Beginning in May 2013, we consolidate the assets, liabilities, and results of operations of Morningstar Sweden in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. See Note 3 for additional information concerning our acquisition of Morningstar Sweden.
	We did not record any impairment losses on our equity method investments in the first nine months of 2013 or 2012.
	Cost Method Investments. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, our cost method investments consist of minority investments in HelloWallet LLC (HelloWallet) and Pitchbook Data, Inc. (Pitchbook). HelloWallet is a provider of personalized financial guidance to employees of Fortune 1000 companies. Pitchbook offers detailed data and information about private equity transactions, investors, companies, limited partners, and service providers.
	We did not record any impairment losses on our cost method investments in the first nine months of 2013 or 2012.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Compensation
	Stock-Based Compensation Plans
	Our shareholders approved the Morningstar 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2011 Plan) on May 17, 2011. As of that date, we stopped granting awards under the Morningstar 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2004 Plan). The 2004 Plan amended and restated the Morningstar 1993 Stock Option Plan, the Morningstar 2000 Stock Option Plan, and the Morningstar 2001 Stock Option Plan.
	The 2011 Plan provides for a variety of stock-based awards, including, among other things, stock options, restricted stock units, and restricted stock. We granted stock options, restricted stock units, and restricted stock under the 2004 Plan.
	All of our employees and our non-employee directors are eligible for awards under the 2011 Plan.
	Grants awarded under the 2011 Plan or the 2004 Plan that are forfeited, canceled, settled, or otherwise terminated without a distribution of shares, or shares withheld by us in connection with the exercise of options, will be available for awards under the 2011 Plan. Any shares subject to awards under the 2011 Plan, but not under the 2004 Plan, that are withheld by us in connection with the payment of any required income tax withholding will be available for awards under the 2011 Plan.
	The following table summarizes the number of shares available for future grants under our 2011 Plan:
		As of September 30
	(in thousands)	2013
	Shares available for future grants	4,563
	Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation Awards
	The following table summarizes our stock-based compensation expense and the related income tax benefit we recorded:
		Three months ended September 30							Nine months ended September 30
	$0	2013			2012				2013			2012
	Restricted stock units	$	3,196		$	3,396			$	10,493		$	9,944
	Restricted stock	97			444				291			1,332
	Stock options	123			154				369			318
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	3,416		$	3,994			$	11,153		$	11,594
	Income tax benefit related to the stock-based compensation expense	$	846		$	931			$	2,944		$	2,735
	The following table summarizes the amount of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense as of September 30, 2013 and the expected number of months over which the expense will be recognized:
		Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense ($000)			Expected amortization period (months)
	Restricted stock units	$	32,203		34
	Restricted stock	614			19
	Stock options	708			19
	Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	$	33,525		33
	In accordance with FASB ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, we estimate forfeitures of employee stock-based awards and recognize compensation cost only for those awards expected to vest. Our largest annual equity grants typically have vesting dates in the second quarter. We adjust the stock-based compensation expense annually in the third quarter to reflect those awards that ultimately vested and update our estimate of the forfeiture rate that will be applied to awards not yet vested.
	Restricted Stock Units
	Restricted stock units represent the right to receive a share of Morningstar common stock when that unit vests. Restricted stock units to employees vest ratably over a four-year period. Restricted stock units granted to non-employee directors vest ratably over a three-year period. For restricted stock units granted through December 31, 2008, employees could elect to defer receipt of the Morningstar common stock issued upon vesting of the restricted stock unit.
	We measure the fair value of our restricted stock units on the date of grant based on the closing market price of the underlying common stock on the day prior to grant. We amortize that value to stock-based compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, ratably over the vesting period.
	The following table summarizes restricted stock unit activity during the first nine months of 2013:
	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)	Unvested		Vested but			Total			Weighted
				Deferred						Average
										Grant Date Value
										per RSU
	RSUs outstanding—December 31, 2012	727,145		18,782			745,927			$	53.37
	Granted	244,364		—			244,364			69.99
	Dividend equivalents	2,090		63			2,153			55.69
	Vested	(256,105	)	—			(256,105	)		49.82
	Vested but deferred	—		—			—			—
	Issued	—		(2,257	)		(2,257	)		49.4
	Forfeited	(42,862	)	—			(42,862	)		57.43
	RSUs outstanding—September 30, 2013	674,632		16,588			691,220			60.4
	Restricted Stock
	In conjunction with our acquisition of Realpoint LLC in May 2010, we issued 199,174 shares of restricted stock to the selling employee-shareholders under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan. The restricted stock vests ratably over a five-year period from the acquisition date and may be subject to forfeiture if the holder terminates his or her employment during the vesting period.
	Because of the terms of the restricted stock agreements prepared in conjunction with the Realpoint acquisition, we account for the grant of restricted stock as stock-based compensation expense and not as part of the acquisition consideration.
	We measured the fair value of the restricted stock on the date of grant based on the closing market price of our common stock on the day prior to the grant. We amortize the fair value of $9,363,000 to stock-based compensation expense over the vesting period. We have assumed that all of the remaining restricted stock will ultimately vest, and therefore have not incorporated a forfeiture rate for purposes of determining the stock-based compensation expense.
	Stock Options
	Stock options granted to employees vest ratably over a four-year period. Grants to our non-employee directors vest ratably over a three-year period. All grants expire 10 years after the date of grant. Almost all of the options granted under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan have a premium feature in which the exercise price increases over the term of the option at a rate equal to the 10-year Treasury bond yield as of the date of grant. Options granted under the 2011 Plan have an exercise price equal to the fair market value on the grant date.
	The following tables summarize stock option activity in the first nine months of 2013 for our various stock option grants. The first table includes activity for options granted at an exercise price below the fair value per share of our common stock on the grant date; the second table includes activity for all other option grants.
	Options Granted At an Exercise Price Below the Fair Value Per Share on the Grant Date	Underlying		Weighted
		Shares		Average
				Exercise
				Price
	Options outstanding—December 31, 2012	282,695		$	20.55
	Granted	—		—
	Canceled	(250	)	21.25
	Exercised	(40,942	)	20.77
	Options outstanding—September 30, 2013	241,503		21.24
	Options exercisable—September 30, 2013	241,503		$	21.24
	All Other Option Grants, Excluding Activity Shown Above	Underlying		Weighted
		Shares		Average
				Exercise
				Price
Options outstanding—December 31, 2012	391,784		$	28.98
Granted	—		—
Canceled	(1,352	)	16.08
Exercised	(133,219	)	16.59
Options outstanding—September 30, 2013	257,213		36.15
Options exercisable—September 30, 2013	221,166		$	32.66
The following table summarizes the total intrinsic value (difference between the market value of our stock on the date of exercise and the exercise price of the option) of options exercised:
	Nine months ended September 30
$0	2013			2012
Intrinsic value of options exercised	$	8,964		$	17,161
The table below shows additional information for options outstanding and exercisable as of September 30, 2013:
	Options Outstanding											Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices	Number of  Options		Weighted		Weighted				Aggregate			Exercisable Shares	Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	Weighted Average Exercise Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value ($000)
			Average		Average				Intrinsic
			Remaining		Exercise				Value
			Contractual		Price				$0
			Life (years)
$8.57 - $14.70	385		0.92		$	13.11			$	25		385	0.92	$	13.11	$	25
$21.18 - $48.37	426,656		1.39		24.15				23,513			426,656	1.39	24.15		23,513
$57.28 - $59.35	71,675		7.78		57.46				1,563			35,628	7.76	57.37		750
$8.57 - $59.35	498,716		2.31		28.93				$	25,101		462,669	1.88	26.7		$	24,288
Vested or Expected to Vest
$8.57 - $59.35	498,716		2.31		$	28.93			$	25,101
The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value all option holders would have received if they had exercised all outstanding options on September 30, 2013. The intrinsic value is based on our closing stock price of $79.26 on that date.
Excess Tax Benefits Related to Stock-Based Compensation
FASB ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, requires that we classify the cash flows that result from excess tax benefits as financing cash flows. Excess tax benefits correspond to the portion of the tax deduction taken on our income tax return that exceeds the amount of tax benefit related to the compensation cost recognized in our Statement of Income. The following table summarizes our excess tax benefits:
	Three months ended September 30							Nine months ended September 30
$0	2013			2012				2013			2012
Excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation	$	251		$	459			$	4,093		$	5,007

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	Effective Tax Rate
	The following table shows our effective income tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012:
		Three months ended September 30						Nine months ended September 30
	$0	2013			2012			2013			2012
	Income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated entities	$	45,384		$	41,744		$	133,584		$	114,933
	Equity in net income of unconsolidated entities	315			478			1,172			1,541
	Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	29			34			93			62
	Total	$	45,728		$	42,256		$	134,849		$	116,536
	Income tax expense	$	14,265		$	15,186		$	42,647		$	41,441
	Effective tax rate	31.2		%	35.9		%	31.6		%	35.6		%
	Our effective tax rate in the third quarter of 2013 was 31.2%, a decrease of 4.7 percentage points compared with the prior-year period. The effective tax rate decrease primarily reflects adjustments to certain deferred income tax benefits and the recognition of additional tax credits and incentives.
	Unrecognized Tax Benefits
	The table below provides information concerning our gross unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The table also provides the effect these gross unrecognized tax benefits would have on our income tax expense, if they were recognized.
		As of September 30			As of December 31
	$0	2013			2012
	Gross unrecognized tax benefits	$	14,880		$	12,699
	Gross unrecognized tax benefits that would affect income tax expense	$	14,880		$	12,699
	Decrease in income tax expense upon recognition of gross unrecognized tax benefits	$	12,323		$	10,446
	Our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets include the following liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits. These amounts include interest and penalties, less any associated tax benefits.
		As of September 30			As of December 31
	Liabilities for Unrecognized Tax Benefits ($000)	2013			2012
	Current liability	$	6,646		$	6,568
	Non-current liability	7,758			5,659
	Total liability for unrecognized tax benefits	$	14,404		$	12,227
	We conduct business globally and as a result, we file income tax returns in U.S. federal, state, local, and foreign jurisdictions. We are currently under audit by federal and various state and local tax authorities in the United States, as well as tax authorities in certain non-U.S. jurisdictions. It is possible, though not likely, that the examination phase of some of these audits will conclude in 2013. It is not possible to estimate the effect of current audits on previously recorded unrecognized tax benefits.
	We have not provided federal and state income taxes on accumulated undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries because these earnings have been permanently reinvested. Approximately 43% of our cash, cash equivalents, and investments as of September 30, 2013 were held by our operations outside of the United States. As such, we believe that our cash balances and investments in the United States, along with cash generated from our U.S. operations, will be sufficient to meet our U.S. operating and cash needs for the foreseeable future, without requiring us to repatriate earnings from these foreign subsidiaries. It is not possible to determine the amount of the unrecognized deferred tax liability related to the undistributed earnings.
	Certain of our non-U.S. operations have incurred net operating losses (NOLs) which may become deductible
	to the extent these operations become profitable. For each of our operations, we evaluate whether it is more likely than not that the tax benefits related to NOLs will be realized. As part of this evaluation, we consider evidence such as tax planning strategies, historical operating results, forecasted taxable income, and recent financial performance. In the year that certain non-U.S. operations record a loss, we do not recognize a corresponding tax benefit thus increasing our effective tax rate. Upon determining that it is more likely than not that the NOLs will be realized, we reduce the tax valuation allowances related to these NOLs, which results in a reduction to our income tax expense and our effective tax rate in the period.

Contingencies

Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Contingencies	'
	Contingencies
	Life's Good S.T.A.B.L. Hedge Fund
	In September 2011, three individual investors in Life's Good S.T.A.B.L. Mortgage hedge fund (LG), Marta Klass, Gregory Martin, and Richard Roellig, filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against LG, its principal Robert Stinson, and several other parties, including Morningstar, Inc. (the Klass Matter). The plaintiffs claim that Morningstar committed fraud and aided and abetted the other defendants' breach of fiduciary duty through the 5-star rating LG obtained from Morningstar. The plaintiffs seek unspecified damages. Hedge fund managers self-report their performance data to Morningstar. More than a year before the Klass Matter, in June 2010, the SEC filed suit against LG and other entities claiming they were part of a Ponzi scheme operated by Stinson. As a result, LG and the other entities were placed in court-appointed receivership. Morningstar was not part of the SEC suit or receivership. Since that time, the Receiver, as part of his duties, has been investigating whether to assert claims against third parties. Morningstar is aware of 14 lawsuits filed by the Receiver seeking to recover money for the fund.
	In November 2011, Morningstar filed a motion to dismiss the Klass Matter. On behalf of the entities in receivership, the Receiver filed a motion to stay the proceedings because the Receivership Order does not permit suits against the entities in receivership without court permission. The court granted the Receiver's motion and stayed the Klass Matter. In April 2012, the Receiver filed a complaint against Morningstar, in which the Receiver claims that Morningstar is liable for contribution and aiding and abetting Stinson's breach of fiduciary duty and fraud through the 5-star rating LG obtained from Morningstar. The Receiver seeks unspecified damages. The same day the Receiver filed his complaint, Morningstar sought leave from the court to file a counter suit against Stinson and two of his entities-Keystone State Capital Corporation and LG for, among other things, fraud, misrepresentation, and breach of user agreements. In June 2012, the court denied Morningstar's motion for leave to file suit. The court took no position on the merits of Morningstar's claims, and did not preclude us from renewing our motion to file a complaint at a later time, but deferred to the Receiver's request not to subject the receivership estate to additional litigation at this early point in the receivership. In August 2012, the court denied Morningstar's motion to dismiss the Receiver's complaint.
	We believe the allegations against Morningstar by the Klass plaintiffs and the Receiver have no legal or factual basis and we plan to vigorously contest the claims. We also intend to refile our affirmative claims against Stinson, Keystone, and LG at a later time consistent with the court's order. We cannot predict the outcome of the proceedings.
	We have not provided an estimate of loss or range of loss in connection with this matter because no such estimate can reasonably be made.
	Business Logic Holding Corporation
	In November 2009, Business Logic Holding Corporation filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois against Ibbotson Associates, Inc. and Morningstar, Inc. relating to Ibbotson's prior commercial relationship with Business Logic. Business Logic is alleging breach of contract and trade secret misappropriation in connection with Ibbotson's development of a proprietary web-service software and user interface that connects plan participant data with the Ibbotson Wealth Forecasting Engine. Business Logic seeks, among other things, compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorneys' fees, and injunctive relief. Ibbotson and Morningstar answered the complaint, and Ibbotson asserted a counterclaim against Business Logic alleging trade secret misappropriation and breach of contract, also seeking damages and injunctive relief. Business Logic filed a motion for summary judgment on its breach of contract claim, which was denied on October 1, 2013.
	As noted above, Business Logic's complaint seeks, among other things, compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorneys' fees, and injunctive relief. With regard to compensatory damages, based on the analysis of Ibbotson's retained damages expert (who has assumed, solely for purposes of his analysis, that Business Logic will prevail with regard to the issue of liability), and recognizing the uncertainty inherent in litigation and our intention to continue to vigorously defend the claims made by Business Logic, our best estimate of the range of possible loss is between $0 and $5.4 million, excluding punitive damages or attorneys' fees, both of which are recoverable in certain circumstances under the Illinois Trade Secrets Act. Business Logic's retained damages expert (who has also assumed for purposes of her estimate that Business Logic will prevail with regard to the issue of liability) has, however, estimated compensatory damages of $84 million, excluding punitive damages or attorneys' fees. We dispute the conclusions reached and the methods employed by Business Logic's expert.
	With regard to Business Logic's claim for injunctive relief, no reasonable estimate of loss or range of loss is possible.
	Morningstar and Ibbotson continue to vigorously contest all the claims against them in this matter. We cannot, however, predict the outcome of the proceeding.
	In addition to these proceedings, we are involved in legal proceedings and litigation that have arisen in the normal course of our business. Although the outcome of a particular proceeding can never be predicted, we do not believe that the result of any of these other matters will have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, or financial position.

Share_Repurchase_Program

Share Repurchase Program	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Share Repurchase Program [Abstract]	'
Share Repurchase Program Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Share Repurchase Program
	In September 2010, the board of directors approved a share repurchase program that authorizes the repurchase of up to $100 million in shares of our outstanding common stock. In December 2011, the board approved a $200 million increase to the $100 million share repurchase program it announced in 2010. In December 2012, the board authorized the company to repurchase an additional $200 million in shares of our outstanding common stock, increasing the repurchase program from $300 million to $500 million with a revised expiration date of December 31, 2014. We may repurchase shares from time to time at prevailing market prices on the open market or in private transactions at our discretion. As of September 30, 2013, we had repurchased a total of 5,885,886 shares for $359,064,000 under this authorization.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	Subsequent Events
	In October 2013, our board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of 12.5 cents per share. The dividend was payable on October 31, 2013 to shareholders of record as of October 14, 2013.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	In addition, effective January 1, 2013, we adopted FASB ASU No. 2013-2, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220). The amended guidance requires us to show the effects of items reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income to net income on the face of the financial statement where net income is presented. The adoption of ASU No. 2013-2 did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Furthermore, beginning with the third quarter of 2013, we revised our segment structure to reflect our shift to a more centralized organizational structure. We now report our results in a single reportable segment, which reflects how our chief operating decision maker allocates resources and evaluates our financial results.
	Beginning with the third quarter of 2013, we revised our segment structure to reflect our shift to a more centralized organizational structure. We now report our results in a single reportable segment, which reflects how our chief operating decision maker allocates resources and evaluates our financial results.
	Because we have one reportable segment, all required financial segment information can be found directly in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
	The accounting policies for our single reportable segment are the same as those described in “Note 3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. We evaluate the performance of our reporting segment based on revenue and operating income.
Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	We account for our investments in accordance with FASB ASC 320, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities. We classify our investments in three categories: available-for-sale, held-to-maturity, and trading. We monitor the concentration, diversification, maturity, and liquidity of our investment portfolio, which is primarily invested in fixed-income securities, and classify our investment portfolio as shown below:

Recovered_Sheet1

Investments and Fair value Measurements (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	We account for our investments in accordance with FASB ASC 320, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities. We classify our investments in three categories: available-for-sale, held-to-maturity, and trading. We monitor the concentration, diversification, maturity, and liquidity of our investment portfolio, which is primarily invested in fixed-income securities, and classify our investment portfolio as shown below:

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	'
	The following table summarizes our allocation of the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition:
			$0
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	3,472
	Accounts receivable and other current assets		519
	Other non-current assets		244
	Intangible assets		9,700
	Goodwill		9,084
	Deferred revenue		(1,191		)
	Deferred tax liability		(2,272		)
	Other current and non-current liabilities		(1,043		)
	Total fair value of Morningstar Sweden		$	18,513
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination	'
	The allocation includes acquired intangible assets, as follows:
			$0			Weighted Average Useful Life (years)
	Customer-related assets		$	9,700		14
	Total intangible assets		$	9,700		14
Schedule of Goodwill	'
	The following table shows the changes in our goodwill balances from December 31, 2012 to September 30, 2013:
		$0
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	320,845
	Acquisition of remaining ownership in Morningstar Sweden	9,084
	Other, primarily foreign currency translation	(3,188		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	326,741
Schedule of Intangible Assets	'
	The following table summarizes our intangible assets:
			As of September 30, 2013										As of December 31, 2012
	$0		Gross			Accumulated			Net		Weighted		Gross		Accumulated			Net		Weighted
						Amortization					Average				Amortization					Average
											Useful  Life									Useful  Life
											(years)									(years)
	Intellectual property		$	29,799		$	(22,778	)	$	7,021	9		$	30,621	$	(21,527	)	$	9,094	9
	Customer-related assets		141,824			(71,343		)	70,481		12		132,798		(63,005		)	69,793		12
	Supplier relationships		240			(105		)	135		20		240		(96		)	144		20
	Technology-based assets		80,553			(49,017		)	31,536		9		81,333		(43,809		)	37,524		9
	Non-competition agreement		1,692			(1,596		)	96		4		1,765		(1,588		)	177		4
	Total intangible assets		$	254,108		$	(144,839	)	$	109,269	10		$	246,757	$	(130,025	)	$	116,732	10
Schedule of Intangible Asset, Amortization Expense	'
	The following table summarizes our amortization expense related to intangible assets:
			Three months ended September 30						Nine months ended September 30
	$0		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Amortization expense		$	5,287		$	5,941		$	16,249	$	17,972
Schedule of Expected Amortization Expense	'
	We expect intangible amortization expense for 2013 and subsequent years as follows:
			$0
	2013		$	21,510
	2014		20,507
	2015		19,687
	2016		15,118
	2017		10,579
	2018		8,593
	Our estimates of future amortization expense for intangible assets may be affected by additional acquisitions, divestitures, changes in the estimated average useful life, and currency translations.

Income_Per_Share_Tables

Income Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table shows the number of weighted average stock options, restricted stock units, and restricted stock excluded from our calculation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive:
		Three months ended September 30						Nine months ended September 30
	(in thousands)	2013			2012			2013		2012
	Weighted average stock options	—			9			—		12
	Weighted average restricted stock units	1			—			19		81
	Weighted average restricted stock	—			—			—		—
	Total	1			9			19		93
	These stock options and restricted stock units could be included in the calculation in the future.
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	'
	The following table shows how we reconcile our net income and the number of shares used in computing basic and diluted income per share:
		Three months ended September 30							Nine months ended September 30
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2013				2012			2013			2012
	Basic net income per share attributable to Morningstar, Inc.:
	Net income attributable to Morningstar, Inc.:	$	31,463			$	27,070		$	92,202		$	75,095
	Less: Distributed earnings available to participating securities	—				(12		)	(5		)	(39		)
	Less: Undistributed earnings available to participating securities	(11		)		(53		)	(29		)	(144		)
	Numerator for basic net income per share — undistributed and distributed earnings available to common shareholders	$	31,452			$	27,005		$	92,168		$	74,912
	Weighted average common shares outstanding	46,080				47,975			46,293			49,028
	Basic net income per share attributable to Morningstar, Inc.	$	0.68			$	0.56		$	1.99		$	1.53
	Diluted net income per share attributable to Morningstar, Inc.:
	Numerator for basic net income per share — undistributed and distributed earnings available to common shareholders	$	31,452			$	27,005		$	92,168		$	74,912
	Add: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	11				53			29			144
	Less: Undistributed earnings reallocated to participating securities	(11		)		(53		)	(29		)	(142		)
	Numerator for diluted net income per share — undistributed and distributed earnings available to common shareholders	$	31,452			$	27,005		$	92,168		$	74,914
	Weighted average common shares outstanding	46,080				47,975			46,293			49,028
	Net effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units	439				506			342			636
	Weighted average common shares outstanding for computing diluted income per share	46,519				48,481			46,635			49,664
	Diluted net income per share attributable to Morningstar, Inc.	$	0.68			$	0.56		$	1.98		$	1.51

Segment_and_Geographical_Area_1

Segment and Geographical Area Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table Text Block]	'
	Products and Services Information
	We derive revenue from two product groups. The investment information product group includes all of our data, software, and research products and services. These products are typically sold through subscriptions or license agreements. The investment management product group includes all of our asset management operations, which earn the majority of their revenue from asset-based fees. The table below summarizes our revenue by product group.
	External revenue by product group
		Three months ended September 30				Nine months ended September 30
	$0	2013		2012		2013		2012
	Investment information	$	137,216	$	128,392	$	412,332	$	388,468
	Investment management	36,266		32,560		105,434		99,211
	Consolidated revenue	$	173,482	$	160,952	$	517,766	$	487,679
Schedule of Revenue from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets, by Geographical Areas [Table Text Block]	'
	External revenue by geographical area
		Three months ended September 30				Nine months ended September 30
	$0	2013		2012		2013		2012
	United States	$	124,998	$	114,021	$	372,746	$	346,442
	United Kingdom	14,148		13,711		41,316		42,160
	Europe, excluding the United Kingdom	14,666		11,643		41,826		35,980
	Australia	8,041		10,090		26,569		29,230
	Canada	7,603		7,605		23,151		22,351
	Asia, excluding Japan	2,580		2,420		7,836		7,156
	Japan	783		924		2,400		2,889
	Other	663		538		1,922		1,471
	Total International	48,484		46,931		145,020		141,237
	Consolidated revenue	$	173,482	$	160,952	$	517,766	$	487,679
	Long-lived assets by geographical area
		As of September 30		As of December 31
	$0	2013		2012
	United States	$	77,713	$	60,371
	United Kingdom	6,611		7,435
	Europe, excluding the United Kingdom	2,061		2,356
	Australia	1,184		1,402
	Canada	1,400		1,773
	Asia, excluding Japan	9,863		10,445
	Japan	45		84
	Other	130		156
	Total International	21,294		23,651
	Consolidated property, equipment, and capitalized software, net	$	99,007	$	84,022

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea1

Investments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Investments	'
	We monitor the concentration, diversification, maturity, and liquidity of our investment portfolio, which is primarily invested in fixed-income securities, and classify our investment portfolio as shown below:
		As of September 30			As of December 31
	$0	2013			2012
	Available-for-sale	$	129,316		$	125,786
	Held-to-maturity	29,307			26,357
	Trading securities	7,295			5,386
	Total	$	165,918		$	157,529
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments	'
	The following table shows the cost, unrealized gains (losses), and fair values related to investments classified as available-for-sale and held-to-maturity:
		As of September 30, 2013													As of December 31, 2012
	$0	Cost			Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair
					Gain				Loss				Value				Gain		Loss			Value
	Available-for-sale:
	Government obligations	$	28,515		$	8			$	(24	)		$	28,499	$	40,669	$	29	$	(608	)	$	40,090
	Corporate bonds	67,763			13				(223		)		67,553		49,339		36		(292		)	49,083
	Foreign obligations	1,297			—				(16		)		1,281		2,437		1		(19		)	2,419
	Commercial paper	9,986			—				(1		)		9,985		2,000		—		—			2,000
	Equity securities and exchange-traded funds	8,226			1,001				(156		)		9,071		19,613		1,359		(323		)	20,649
	Mutual funds	10,624			2,395				(92		)		12,927		10,499		1,092		(46		)	11,545
	Total	$	126,411		$	3,417			$	(512	)		$	129,316	$	124,557	$	2,517	$	(1,288	)	$	125,786
	Held-to-maturity:
	Certificates of deposit	$	29,307		$	—			$	—			$	29,307	$	26,357	$	—	$	—		$	26,357
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date	'
	The expected maturities of certain fixed-income securities may differ from their contractual maturities because some of these holdings have call features that allow the issuers the right to prepay obligations without penalties.
		As of September 30, 2013							As of December 31, 2012
	$0	Cost			Fair Value				Cost				Fair Value
	Available-for-sale:
	Due in one year or less	$	53,470		$	53,308			$	87,599			$	86,784
	Due in one to two years	54,091			54,010				6,846				6,808
	Equity securities, exchange-traded funds, and mutual funds	18,850			21,998				30,112				32,194
	Total	$	126,411		$	129,316			$	124,557			$	125,786
	Held-to-maturity:
	Due in one year or less	$	29,303		$	29,303			$	26,352			$	26,352
	Due in one to three years	4			4				5				5
	Total	$	29,307		$	29,307			$	26,357			$	26,357
Schedule of Realized Gain (Loss) on Available-For-Sale Securities	'
	The following table shows the realized gains and losses arising from sales of our investments classified as available-for-sale recorded in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income:
		Three months ended September 30					Nine months ended September 30
	$0	2013		2012			2013				2012
	Realized gains	94		219			$	2,320			$	689
	Realized losses	(136	)	(222	)		(1,214		)		(741		)
	Realized gains (losses), net	(42	)	(3	)		$	1,106			$	(52	)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) On Trading Securities	'
	The following table shows the net unrealized gains (losses) on trading securities as recorded in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income:
		Three months ended September 30					Nine months ended September 30
	$0	2013		2012			2013				2012
	Unrealized gains (losses), net	(741	)	181			$	(468	)		$	337
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis	'
	The fair value of our assets subject to fair value measurements and that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis using the fair value hierarchy and the necessary disclosures under FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement, are as follows:
		Fair Value			Fair Value Measurements as of September 30, 2013
		as of			Using Fair Value Hierarchy
	$0	September 30, 2013			Level 1				Level 2				Level 3
	Available-for-sale investments:
	Government obligations	$	28,499		$	—			$	28,499			$	—
	Corporate bonds	67,553			—				67,553				—
	Foreign obligations	1,281			—				1,281				—
	Commercial paper	9,985			—				9,985				—
	Equity securities and exchange-traded funds	9,071			9,071				—				—
	Mutual funds	12,927			12,927				—				—
	Trading securities	7,295			7,295				—				—
	Cash equivalents	18,990			18,990				—				—
	Total	$	155,601		$	48,283			$	107,318			$	—
		Fair Value			Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2012
		as of			Using Fair Value Hierarchy
	$0	December 31, 2012			Level 1				Level 2				Level 3
	Available-for-sale investments:
	Government obligations	$	40,090		$	—			$	40,090			$	—
	Corporate bonds	49,083			—				49,083				—
	Foreign obligations	2,419			—				2,419				—
	Commercial paper	2,000			—				2,000				—
	Equity securities and exchange-traded funds	20,649			20,649				—				—
	Mutual funds	11,545			11,545				—				—
	Trading securities	5,386			5,386				—				—
	Cash equivalents	398			398				—				—
	Total	$	131,570		$	37,978			$	93,592			$	—

Investments_in_Unconsolidated_1

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Equity Method And Cost Method Investments	'
	Our investments in unconsolidated entities consist primarily of the following:
		As of September 30			As of December 31
	$0	2013			2012
	Investment in MJKK	$	21,359		$	20,540
	Other equity method investments	6,322			6,288
	Investments accounted for using the cost method	10,695			8,477
	Total investments in unconsolidated entities	$	38,376		$	35,305
Schedule of Equity Method Investments	'
	The following table summarizes our ownership percentage in MJKK and the market value of this investment based on MJKK’s publicly quoted share price:
		As of September 30			As of December 31
		2013			2012
	Morningstar’s approximate ownership of MJKK	34		%	34		%
	Approximate market value of Morningstar’s ownership in MJKK:
	Japanese yen (¥000)	¥	8,558,222		¥	3,109,579
	Equivalent U.S. dollars ($000)	$	87,123		$	36,227

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Shares Available for Future Grants	'
	The following table summarizes the number of shares available for future grants under our 2011 Plan:
		As of September 30
	(in thousands)	2013
	Shares available for future grants	4,563
Schedule of Stock-Based Compensation Expense	'
	The following table summarizes our stock-based compensation expense and the related income tax benefit we recorded:
		Three months ended September 30							Nine months ended September 30
	$0	2013			2012				2013			2012
	Restricted stock units	$	3,196		$	3,396			$	10,493		$	9,944
	Restricted stock	97			444				291			1,332
	Stock options	123			154				369			318
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	3,416		$	3,994			$	11,153		$	11,594
	Income tax benefit related to the stock-based compensation expense	$	846		$	931			$	2,944		$	2,735
Schedule of Unrecognized Stock-Based Compensation Expense	'
	The following table summarizes the amount of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense as of September 30, 2013 and the expected number of months over which the expense will be recognized:
		Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense ($000)			Expected amortization period (months)
	Restricted stock units	$	32,203		34
	Restricted stock	614			19
	Stock options	708			19
	Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	$	33,525		33
Schedule of Restricted Stock Units Award Activity	'
	The following table summarizes restricted stock unit activity during the first nine months of 2013:
	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)	Unvested		Vested but			Total			Weighted
				Deferred						Average
										Grant Date Value
										per RSU
	RSUs outstanding—December 31, 2012	727,145		18,782			745,927			$	53.37
	Granted	244,364		—			244,364			69.99
	Dividend equivalents	2,090		63			2,153			55.69
	Vested	(256,105	)	—			(256,105	)		49.82
	Vested but deferred	—		—			—			—
	Issued	—		(2,257	)		(2,257	)		49.4
	Forfeited	(42,862	)	—			(42,862	)		57.43
	RSUs outstanding—September 30, 2013	674,632		16,588			691,220			60.4
Schedule of Options Granted at Exercise Price Below Fair Value per Share on Grant Date	'
	The first table includes activity for options granted at an exercise price below the fair value per share of our common stock on the grant date; the second table includes activity for all other option grants.
	Options Granted At an Exercise Price Below the Fair Value Per Share on the Grant Date	Underlying		Weighted
		Shares		Average
				Exercise
				Price
	Options outstanding—December 31, 2012	282,695		$	20.55
	Granted	—		—
	Canceled	(250	)	21.25
	Exercised	(40,942	)	20.77
	Options outstanding—September 30, 2013	241,503		21.24
	Options exercisable—September 30, 2013	241,503		$	21.24
Schedule of All Other Option Granted	'
	All Other Option Grants, Excluding Activity Shown Above	Underlying		Weighted
		Shares		Average
				Exercise
				Price
	Options outstanding—December 31, 2012	391,784		$	28.98
	Granted	—		—
	Canceled	(1,352	)	16.08
	Exercised	(133,219	)	16.59
	Options outstanding—September 30, 2013	257,213		36.15
	Options exercisable—September 30, 2013	221,166		$	32.66
Schedule of Intrinsic Value of Stock Options Exercised During Period	'
	The following table summarizes the total intrinsic value (difference between the market value of our stock on the date of exercise and the exercise price of the option) of options exercised:
		Nine months ended September 30
	$0	2013			2012
	Intrinsic value of options exercised	$	8,964		$	17,161
Schedule of Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding and Exercisable	'
	The table below shows additional information for options outstanding and exercisable as of September 30, 2013:
		Options Outstanding											Options Exercisable
	Range of Exercise Prices	Number of  Options		Weighted		Weighted				Aggregate			Exercisable Shares	Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	Weighted Average Exercise Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value ($000)
				Average		Average				Intrinsic
				Remaining		Exercise				Value
				Contractual		Price				$0
				Life (years)
	$8.57 - $14.70	385		0.92		$	13.11			$	25		385	0.92	$	13.11	$	25
	$21.18 - $48.37	426,656		1.39		24.15				23,513			426,656	1.39	24.15		23,513
	$57.28 - $59.35	71,675		7.78		57.46				1,563			35,628	7.76	57.37		750
	$8.57 - $59.35	498,716		2.31		28.93				$	25,101		462,669	1.88	26.7		$	24,288
	Vested or Expected to Vest
	$8.57 - $59.35	498,716		2.31		$	28.93			$	25,101
Schedule of Tax Benefits Related to Share Based Compensation	'
	The following table summarizes our excess tax benefits:
		Three months ended September 30							Nine months ended September 30
	$0	2013			2012				2013			2012
	Excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation	$	251		$	459			$	4,093		$	5,007

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	'
	The following table shows our effective income tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012:
		Three months ended September 30						Nine months ended September 30
	$0	2013			2012			2013			2012
	Income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated entities	$	45,384		$	41,744		$	133,584		$	114,933
	Equity in net income of unconsolidated entities	315			478			1,172			1,541
	Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	29			34			93			62
	Total	$	45,728		$	42,256		$	134,849		$	116,536
	Income tax expense	$	14,265		$	15,186		$	42,647		$	41,441
	Effective tax rate	31.2		%	35.9		%	31.6		%	35.6		%
Schedule of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits	'
	The table below provides information concerning our gross unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The table also provides the effect these gross unrecognized tax benefits would have on our income tax expense, if they were recognized.
		As of September 30			As of December 31
	$0	2013			2012
	Gross unrecognized tax benefits	$	14,880		$	12,699
	Gross unrecognized tax benefits that would affect income tax expense	$	14,880		$	12,699
	Decrease in income tax expense upon recognition of gross unrecognized tax benefits	$	12,323		$	10,446
Schedule of Liabilities for Unrecognized Tax Benefits	'
	Our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets include the following liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits. These amounts include interest and penalties, less any associated tax benefits.
		As of September 30			As of December 31
	Liabilities for Unrecognized Tax Benefits ($000)	2013			2012
	Current liability	$	6,646		$	6,568
	Non-current liability	7,758			5,659
	Total liability for unrecognized tax benefits	$	14,404		$	12,227

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	3-May-13	Mar. 31, 2013
						Morningstar Sweden AB [Member]	Morningstar Sweden AB [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Ownership interest acquired	'	'	'	'	'	76.00%	'
Equity Method Investments	'	'	'	'	'	'	$3,959,000
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	'	'	'	'	'	100.00%	24.00%
Total fair value of Morningstar Sweden	'	'	'	'	'	18,513,000	'
Cash paid to acquire ownership interest	'	'	'	'	'	14,554,000	'
Holding gain upon acquisition of additional ownership of equity method investments	-78,000	0	3,635,000	0	'	3,635,000	'
Intangible assets	'	'	'	'	'	9,700,000	'
Deferred tax liability	'	'	'	'	'	-2,272,000	'
Goodwill	$326,741,000	'	$326,741,000	'	$320,845,000	$9,084,000	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Allocation of the Estimated Fair Values of the Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	3-May-13
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			Morningstar Sweden AB [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'	$3,472
Accounts receivable and other current assets	'	'	519
Other non-current assets	'	'	244
Intangible assets	'	'	9,700
Goodwill	326,741	320,845	9,084
Deferred revenue	'	'	-1,191
Deferred tax liability	'	'	-2,272
Other current and non-current liabilities	'	'	-1,043
Total fair value of Morningstar Sweden	'	'	$18,513

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Schedule of Acquired Intangible Assets) (Details) (Morningstar Sweden AB [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3-May-13
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Acquired intangible assets, value	$9,700
Acquired intangible assets, weighted average useful life (years)	'14 years
Customer-related assets [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Acquired intangible assets, value	$9,700
Acquired intangible assets, weighted average useful life (years)	'14 years

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_5

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Schedule of Goodwill) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	$0	$0
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	320,845	'
Adjustments to 2010 acquisitions	9,084	'
Other, primarily currency translation	-3,188	'
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$326,741	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_6

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Schedule of Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross	$254,108	$246,757
Accumulated Amortization	-144,839	-130,025
Intangible assets, Net	109,269	116,732
Weighted-Average Useful Life (years)	'10 years	'10 years
Intellectual Property [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross	29,799	30,621
Accumulated Amortization	-22,778	-21,527
Intangible assets, Net	7,021	9,094
Weighted-Average Useful Life (years)	'9 years	'9 years
Customer Related Assets [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross	141,824	132,798
Accumulated Amortization	-71,343	-63,005
Intangible assets, Net	70,481	69,793
Weighted-Average Useful Life (years)	'12 years	'12 years
Supplier Relationships [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross	240	240
Accumulated Amortization	-105	-96
Intangible assets, Net	135	144
Weighted-Average Useful Life (years)	'20 years	'20 years
Technology-Based Assets [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross	80,553	81,333
Accumulated Amortization	-49,017	-43,809
Intangible assets, Net	31,536	37,524
Weighted-Average Useful Life (years)	'9 years	'9 years
Non-competition Agreement [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross	1,692	1,765
Accumulated Amortization	-1,596	-1,588
Intangible assets, Net	$96	$177
Weighted-Average Useful Life (years)	'4 years	'4 years

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_7

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Amortization Expense) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Amortization expense	$5,287	$5,941	$16,249	$17,972
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
2013	21,510	'	21,510	'
2014	20,507	'	20,507	'
2015	19,687	'	19,687	'
2016	15,118	'	15,118	'
2017	10,579	'	10,579	'
2018	$8,593	'	$8,593	'

Income_Per_Share_Details

Income Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	1	9	19	93
Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to Morningstar, Inc.	$31,463	$27,070	$92,202	$75,095
Less: Distributed Earnings Available to Participating Securities	0	-12	-5	-39
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	-11	-53	-29	-144
Numerator for basic net income per share - undistributed and distributed earnings available to common shareholders	31,452	27,005	92,168	74,912
Weighted average common shares outstanding	46,080	47,975	46,293	49,028
Basic net income per share attributable to Morningstar, Inc.	$0.68	$0.56	$1.99	$1.53
Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Numerator for basic net income per share - undistributed and distributed earnings available to common shareholders	31,452	27,005	92,168	74,912
Add: Undistributed Earnings Allocated To Participating Securities	11	53	29	144
Less: Undistributed Earnings Reallocated to Participating Securities	-11	-53	-29	-142
Numerator for diluted net income per share - undistributed and distributed earnings available to common shareholders	$31,452	$27,005	$92,168	$74,914
Weighted average common shares outstanding	46,080	47,975	46,293	49,028
Net effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units	439	506	342	636
Weighted average common shares outstanding for computing diluted income per share	46,519	48,481	46,635	49,664
Diluted net income per share attributable to Morningstar, Inc.	$0.68	$0.56	$1.98	$1.51
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0	9	0	12
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	1	0	19	81
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0	0	0	0

Segment_and_Geographical_Area_2

Segment and Geographical Area Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information, Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'		'		'	'	'
External revenue	$173,482		$160,952		$517,766	$487,679	'
Stock-based compensation expense	3,416		3,994		11,153	11,594	'
Depreciation and amortization	11,257	[1]	10,822	[1]	33,858	31,616	'
Operating income (loss)	44,613		39,864		128,757	111,399	'
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment	'		'		27,950	22,876	'
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]	'		'		'	'	'
Goodwill	326,741		'		326,741	'	320,845
U.S. [Member]	'		'		'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information, Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'		'		'	'	'
External revenue	124,998		114,021		372,746	346,442	'
Non-U.S. [Member]	'		'		'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information, Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'		'		'	'	'
External revenue	48,484		46,931		145,020	141,237	'
Investment Management [Member]	'		'		'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information, Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'		'		'	'	'
External revenue	36,266		32,560		105,434	99,211	'
Investment Information [Member]	'		'		'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information, Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'		'		'	'	'
External revenue	$137,216		$128,392		$412,332	$388,468	'
[1]	Three months ended September 30B Nine months ended September 30 2013B 2012B 2013B 2012(1)B Includes stock-based compensation expense of: Cost of revenueB $1,471B $1,619B $4,863B $4,739Sales and marketingB 456B 493B 1,490B 1,433General and administrativeB 1,489B 1,882B 4,800B 5,422Total stock-based compensation expenseB $3,416B $3,994B $11,153B $11,594

Segment_EnterpriseWide_and_Geo

Segment, Enterprise-Wide, and Geographical Area Information Segment and Geographical Area Information (External Revenue and Long-Lived Assets) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
External revenue	$173,482	$160,952	$517,766	$487,679	'
Long-lived assets	99,007	'	99,007	'	84,022
United States	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
External revenue	124,998	114,021	372,746	346,442	'
Long-lived assets	77,713	'	77,713	'	60,371
Non United States [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
External revenue	48,484	46,931	145,020	141,237	'
Long-lived assets	21,294	'	21,294	'	23,651
United Kingdom	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
External revenue	14,148	13,711	41,316	42,160	'
Long-lived assets	6,611	'	6,611	'	7,435
Europe excluding the United Kingdom [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
External revenue	14,666	11,643	41,826	35,980	'
Long-lived assets	2,061	'	2,061	'	2,356
Australia	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
External revenue	8,041	10,090	26,569	29,230	'
Long-lived assets	1,184	'	1,184	'	1,402
Canada	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
External revenue	7,603	7,605	23,151	22,351	'
Long-lived assets	1,400	'	1,400	'	1,773
Asia excluding Japan	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
External revenue	2,580	2,420	7,836	7,156	'
Long-lived assets	9,863	'	9,863	'	10,445
Japan	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
External revenue	783	924	2,400	2,889	'
Long-lived assets	45	'	45	'	84
Other	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
External revenue	663	538	1,922	1,471	'
Long-lived assets	$130	'	$130	'	$156

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea2

Investments and Fair Value Measurements (Classification of Securities) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale	$129,316	$125,786
Held-to-maturity	29,307	26,357
Trading securities	7,295	5,386
Total	$165,918	$157,529

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea3

Investments and Fair Value Measurements (Gains (Losses) on Investments) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Available-for-sale:	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Cost	$126,411	'	$126,411	'	$124,557
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain	3,417	'	3,417	'	2,517
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Loss	-512	'	-512	'	-1,288
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value	129,316	'	129,316	'	125,786
Held-to-maturity:	'	'	'	'	'
Held-to-maturity securities, Cost	29,307	'	29,307	'	26,357
Held-to-maturity Securities, Unrecognized Gain	0	'	0	'	0
Held-to-maturity Securities, Unrecognized Loss	0	'	0	'	0
Held-to-maturity securities, Fair Value	29,307	'	29,307	'	26,357
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, realized gains	94	219	2,320	689	'
Available-for-sale securities, realized losses	-136	-222	-1,214	-741	'
Available-for-sale securities, realized gains (losses), net	-42	-3	1,106	-52	'
Government Obligations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale:	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Cost	28,515	'	28,515	'	40,669
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain	8	'	8	'	29
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Loss	-24	'	-24	'	-608
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value	28,499	'	28,499	'	40,090
Corporate Bonds [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale:	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Cost	67,763	'	67,763	'	49,339
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain	13	'	13	'	36
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Loss	-223	'	-223	'	-292
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value	67,553	'	67,553	'	49,083
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale:	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Cost	1,297	'	1,297	'	2,437
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain	0	'	0	'	1
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Loss	-16	'	-16	'	-19
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value	1,281	'	1,281	'	2,419
Commercial Paper [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale:	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Cost	9,986	'	9,986	'	2,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain	0	'	0	'	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Loss	-1	'	-1	'	0
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value	9,985	'	9,985	'	2,000
Equity Securities and Exchange-traded Funds [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale:	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Cost	8,226	'	8,226	'	19,613
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain	1,001	'	1,001	'	1,359
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Loss	-156	'	-156	'	-323
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value	9,071	'	9,071	'	20,649
Mutual Funds [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale:	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Cost	10,624	'	10,624	'	10,499
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain	2,395	'	2,395	'	1,092
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Loss	-92	'	-92	'	-46
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value	$12,927	'	$12,927	'	$11,545

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea4

Investments and Fair Value Measurements (Cost and Fair Value of Investments Classified by Maturity) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Due in one year or less, Cost	$53,470,000	$87,599,000
Available-for-sale securities, Due in one year or less, Fair Vlaue	53,308,000	86,784,000
Available-for-sale securities, Due in one to two years, Cost	54,091,000	6,846,000
Available-for-sale securities, Due in one to two years, Fair Value	54,010,000	6,808,000
Available-for-sale securities, Equity securities, exchange-traded funds, and mutual funds, Cost	18,850,000	30,112,000
Available-for-sale securities, Equity securities, exchange-traded funds, and mutual funds, Fair Value	21,998,000	32,194,000
Available-for-sale securities, Cost	126,411,000	124,557,000
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value	129,316,000	125,786,000
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities [Abstract]	'	'
Held-to-maturity securities, Due in one year or less, Cost	29,303,000	26,352,000
Held-to-maturity securities, Due within one year or less, Fair Value	29,303,000	26,352,000
Held-to-maturity securities, Due in one to three years, Cost	4,000	5,000
Held-to-maturity securities, Due in one to three years, Fair Value	4,000	5,000
Held-to-maturity securities, Cost	29,307,000	26,357,000
Held-to-maturity securities, Fair Value	29,307,000	26,357,000
Certificate of deposit held as collateral against Australia office lease	$1,500,000	'

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea5

Investments and Fair Value Measurements (Unrealized Gains on Trading Securities) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains (losses), net	($741)	$181	($468)	$337

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea6

Investments and Fair Value Measurements (Fair Value of Assets) (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Trading securities, fair value	$7,295	$5,386
Cash equivalents, fair value	18,990	398
Total investments, fair value	155,601	131,570
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Government Obligations [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	28,499	40,090
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	67,553	49,083
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	9,985	2,000
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Equity Securities and Exchange-traded Funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	9,071	20,649
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	12,927	11,545
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Trading securities, fair value	7,295	5,386
Cash equivalents, fair value	18,990	398
Total investments, fair value	48,283	37,978
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Government Obligations [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Equity Securities and Exchange-traded Funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	9,071	20,649
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	12,927	11,545
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Trading securities, fair value	0	0
Cash equivalents, fair value	0	0
Total investments, fair value	107,318	93,592
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Government Obligations [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	28,499	40,090
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	67,553	49,083
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	9,985	2,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Equity Securities and Exchange-traded Funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Trading securities, fair value	0	0
Cash equivalents, fair value	0	0
Total investments, fair value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Government Obligations [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Equity Securities and Exchange-traded Funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	0	0
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	1,281	2,419
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	0	0
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	1,281	2,419
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	$0	$0

Investments_in_Unconsolidated_2

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

3-May-13

Mar. 31, 2013

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Morningstar Japan KK [Member]

Morningstar Japan KK [Member]

Morningstar Japan KK [Member]

Morningstar Japan KK [Member]

Other Equity Method Investments [Member]

Other Equity Method Investments [Member]

YCharts [Member]

YCharts [Member]

Morningstar Sweden AB [Member]

Inquiry Financial Europe AB [Member]

Inquiry Financial Europe AB [Member]

Morningstar Sweden AB [Member]

Morningstar Sweden AB [Member]

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity method investments

'

'

'

'

'

$21,359,000

'

$20,540,000

'

$6,322,000

$6,288,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cost method investments

10,695,000

'

10,695,000

'

8,477,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total investments in unconsolidated entities

38,376,000

'

38,376,000

'

35,305,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity method investment, ownership percentage

'

'

'

'

'

34.00%

34.00%

34.00%

34.00%

'

'

22.00%

22.00%

24.00%

34.00%

34.00%

100.00%

24.00%

Ownership interest acquired

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

76.00%

'

Equity method investment, approximate market value

'

'

'

'

'

87,123,000

8,558,222,000

36,227,000

3,109,579,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity-method investments, other than temporary impairment

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Purchases of equity and cost method investments

'

'

2,751,000

10,304,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cost-method investments, other than temporary impairment

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Method Investments Holding Gain

($78,000)

$0

$3,635,000

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$3,635,000

'

StockBased_Compensation_Shares

Stock-Based Compensation (Shares Available For Future Grants) (Details)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Shares available for future grants	4,563

StockBased_Compensation_Alloca

Stock-Based Compensation (Allocation of Stock-Based Compensation Costs by Plan) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$3,416	$3,994	$11,153	$11,594
Income tax benefit related to the stock-based compensation expense	846	931	2,944	2,735
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	3,196	3,396	10,493	9,944
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	97	444	291	1,332
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$123	$154	$369	$318

StockBased_Compensation_Schedu

Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule of Unrecognized Stock-based Compensation Expense) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	$33,525
Expected amortization period (months)	'33 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	32,203
Expected amortization period (months)	'34 years
Restricted Stock [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	614
Expected amortization period (months)	'19 years
Stock Options [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	$708
Expected amortization period (months)	'19 years

StockBased_Compensation_Restri

Stock-Based Compensation (Restricted Stock Units Activity) (Details) (Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]	'
RSUs outstanding, Beginning Balance, Unvested	727,145
RSUs outstanding, Beginning Balance, Vested but Deferred	18,782
RSUs outstanding, Beginning Balance, Total	745,927
RSUs outstanding, Beginning Balance, Weighted Average Grant Date Valueper RSU	53.37
Granted, Unvested	244,364
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vested But Deferred Grants In Period	0
Granted, Total	244,364
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Valueper RSU	$69.99
Dividend equivalents, Unvested	2,090
Dividend equivalents, Vestedd but Deferred	63
Dividend equivalents, Total	2,153
Dividend equivalents, Weighted Average Grant Date Valueper RSU	$55.69
Vested, Unvested	-256,105
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vested But Deferred Vested In Period	0
Vested, Total	-256,105
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Valueper RSU	$49.82
Vested but deferred, Unvested	0
Vested but deferred, Vested but Deferred	0
Vested but deferred, Total	0
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vested but Deferred Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$0
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other than Options Nonvested Issued in Period	0
Issued, Vested but Deferred	-2,257
Issued, Total	-2,257
Issued, Weighted Average Grant Date Valueper RSU	$49.40
Forfeited, Unvested	-42,862
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vested But Deferred Forfeited In Period	0
Forfeited, Total	-42,862
Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Valueper RSU	$57.43
RSUs outstanding, Ending Balance, Unvested	674,632
RSUs outstanding, Ending Balance, Vested but Deferred	16,588
RSUs outstanding, Ending Balance, Total	691,220
RSUs outstanding, Ending Balance, Weighted Average Grant Date Valueper RSU	60.4

StockBased_Compensation_Stock_

Stock-Based Compensation (Stock Option Activity) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Intrinsic Value of Options Exercised [Abstract]	'	'
Intrinsic value of options exercised	$8,964	$17,161
Options Granted At Discount [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'	'
Options outstanding, Beginning Balance, Underlying Shares	282,695	'
Granted, Underlying Shares	0	'
Canceled, Underlying Shares	-250	'
Exercised, Underlying Shares	-40,942	'
Options outstanding, Ending Balance, Underlying Shares	241,503	'
Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]	'	'
Options outstanding, Beginning Balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$20.55	'
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$0	'
Canceled, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$21.25	'
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$20.77	'
Options outstanding, Ending Balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$21.24	'
Options, Exercisable, Number of Shares and Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]	'	'
Options exercisable, Underlying Shares	241,503	'
Options exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$21.24	'
Option Grants Excluding Options Granted at Discount [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'	'
Options outstanding, Beginning Balance, Underlying Shares	391,784	'
Granted, Underlying Shares	0	'
Canceled, Underlying Shares	-1,352	'
Exercised, Underlying Shares	-133,219	'
Options outstanding, Ending Balance, Underlying Shares	257,213	'
Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]	'	'
Options outstanding, Beginning Balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$28.98	'
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$0	'
Canceled, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$16.08	'
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$16.59	'
Options outstanding, Ending Balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$36.15	'
Options, Exercisable, Number of Shares and Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]	'	'
Options exercisable, Underlying Shares	221,166	'
Options exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$32.66	'

StockBased_Compensation_Additi

Stock-Based Compensation (Additional Information on Options) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Closing stock price used to calculate intrinsic value	$79.26
Range One [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Range of Exercise Prices	'$8.57 - $14.70
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Limit	$8.57
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Limit	$14.70
Options Outstanding, Number of Options	385
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)	'0 years 11 months 1 day
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$13.11
Options Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$25
Options Exercisable, Exercisable Shares	385
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	'0 years 11 months 1 day
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$13.11
Options Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	25
Range Two [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Range of Exercise Prices	'$21.18 - $48.37
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Limit	$20.96
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Limit	$47.86
Options Outstanding, Number of Options	426,656
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)	'1 year 4 months 21 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$24.15
Options Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	23,513
Options Exercisable, Exercisable Shares	426,656
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	'1 year 4 months 21 days
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$24.15
Options Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	23,513
Range Three [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Range of Exercise Prices	'$57.28 - $59.35
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Limit	$57.28
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Limit	$59.35
Options Outstanding, Number of Options	71,675
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)	'7 years 9 months 11 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$57.46
Options Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	1,563
Options Exercisable, Exercisable Shares	35,628
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	'7 years 9 months 4 days
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$57.37
Options Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	750
Range Four [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Range of Exercise Prices	'$8.57 - $59.35
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Limit	$8.57
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Limit	$59.35
Options Outstanding, Number of Options	498,716
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)	'2 years 3 months 22 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$28.93
Options Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	25,101
Options Exercisable, Exercisable Shares	462,669
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	'1 year 10 months 17 days
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$26.70
Options Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	24,288
Vested or Expected to Vest [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Limit	$8.57
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Limit	$59.35
Vested or Expected to Vest, Range of Exercise Prices	'$8.57 - $59.35
Vested or Expected to Vest, Number of Options	498,716
Vested or Expected to Vest, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	'2 years 3 months 22 days
Vested or Expected to Vest, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$28.93
Vested or Expected to Vest, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$25,101

StockBased_Compensation_Excess

Stock-Based Compensation (Excess Tax Benefits Related to Stock-Based Compensation) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation	$251	$459	$4,093	$5,007

Restricted_Stock_Activity_Rela

Restricted Stock Activity Related to the Realpoint Acquisition (Details) (USD $)	3-May-10	Sep. 30, 2013
	Realpoint, LLC [Member]	Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Shares of Restricted Stock	199,174	'
Share Based Compensation, Fair Value of Share Based Compensation Expensed Over Vesting Period	'	$9,363,000

Income_Taxes_Income_Tax_Reconc

Income Taxes (Income Tax Reconciliation and Unrecognized Tax Benefits) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Amount [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated entities	$45,384	$41,744	$133,584	$114,933	'
Equity in net income of unconsolidated entities	315	478	1,172	1,541	'
Net (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	29	34	93	62	'
Total	45,728	42,256	134,849	116,536	'
Income tax expense	14,265	15,186	42,647	41,441	'
Effective income tax rate	31.20%	35.90%	31.60%	35.60%	'
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, change in percentage points compared with prior year period	'	-4.7	'	'	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Current liabilities	6,646	'	6,646	'	6,568
Non-current liabilities	7,758	'	7,758	'	5,659
Total liability for unrecognized tax benefits	$14,404	'	$14,404	'	$12,227

Income_Taxes_Income_Tax_Contin

Income Taxes (Income Tax Contingency) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Gross unrecognized tax benefits	$14,880	$12,699
Gross unrecognized tax benefits which would affect income tax expense	14,880	12,699
Decrease in income tax expense upon recognition of gross unrecognized tax benefits	$12,323	$10,446

Contingencies_Details

Contingencies (Details) (Pending Litigation [Member], Business Logic Holding Corporation [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Pending Litigation [Member] | Business Logic Holding Corporation [Member]	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'
Range of possible loss, minimum	$0
Range of possible loss, maximum	5.4
Damages sought, value	$84

Share_Repurchase_Program_Detai

Share Repurchase Program (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share Repurchase Program [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock, dividends, per share, declared	'	$0	$0.10	$0.25	$0.30	'	'
Share repurchase program, authorized amount	$100,000,000	'	'	'	'	$500,000,000	$300,000,000
Increase to share repurchase rogram, authorized amount	'	'	'	'	'	200,000,000	200,000,000
Shares repurchased, program life to date, shares	'	5,885,886	'	5,885,886	'	'	'
Shares repurchased, program life to date, value	'	$359,064,000	'	$359,064,000	'	'	'

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Oct. 04, 2013
					Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock, dividends, per share, declared	$0	$0.10	$0.25	$0.30	$12.50