Morningstar (MORN) 10-Q 30 Oct 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 24, 2014
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-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	44,581,820

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, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Revenue	$193,106		$173,482		$563,656		$517,766
Operating expense (1):	'		'		'		'
Cost of revenue	80,142	[1]	72,422	[1]	237,243	[1]	198,499	[1]
Sales and marketing	26,761	[1]	22,774	[1]	83,138	[1]	78,789	[1]
General and administrative	26,384	[1]	22,416	[1]	82,926	[1]	77,863	[1]
Depreciation and amortization	14,558		11,257		40,336		33,858
Litigation settlement	0	[2]	0	[2]	61,000	[2]	0	[2]
Total operating expense	147,845	[1]	128,869	[1]	504,643	[1]	389,009	[1]
Operating income (loss)	45,261		44,613		59,013		128,757
Non-operating income (expense):	'		'		'		'
Interest income (expense), net	515		630		1,734		2,035
Gain (loss) on sale of investments reclassified from other comprehensive income	158		-42		505		1,106
Equity Method Investments Holding Gain	0		-78		5,168		3,635
Other income (expense), net	-971		261		-942		-1,949
Non-operating income (expense), net	-298		771		6,465		4,827
Income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated entities	44,963		45,384		65,478		133,584
Equity in net income of unconsolidated entities	337		315		1,433		1,172
Income tax expense	15,149		14,265		20,188		42,647
Consolidated net income	30,151		31,434		46,723		92,109
Net (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	29		29		64		93
Net income attributable to Morningstar, Inc.	$30,180		$31,463		$46,787		$92,202
Net income per share attributable to:	'		'		'		'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.67		$0.68		$1.04		$1.99
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.67		$0.68		$1.04		$1.98
Dividends declared per common share	$0.17		$0		$0.51		$0.25
Dividends paid per common share	$0.17		$0.13		$0.51		$0.25
Weighted average shares outstanding:	'		'		'		'
Basic (in shares)	44,734		46,080		44,763		46,293
Diluted (in shares)	44,889		46,519		44,990		46,635
[1]	Three months ended September 30 Nine months ended September 30 2014 2013 2014 2013(1) Includes stock-based compensation expense of: Cost of revenue $2,177 $1,471 $5,829 $4,863Sales and marketing 607 456 1,634 1,490General and administrative 2,167 1,489 5,790 4,800Total stock-based compensation expense $4,951 $3,416 $13,253 $11,153
[2]	See Note 12, Contingencies, for additional information.

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
(1) Includes stock-based compensation expense of:	'	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$4,951	$3,416	$13,253	$11,153
Cost of Revenue	'	'	'	'
(1) Includes stock-based compensation expense of:	'	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	2,177	1,471	5,829	4,863
Sales and Marketing	'	'	'	'
(1) Includes stock-based compensation expense of:	'	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	607	456	1,634	1,490
General and Administrative	'	'	'	'
(1) Includes stock-based compensation expense of:	'	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$2,167	$1,489	$5,790	$4,800

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Consolidated net income	$30,151	$31,434	$46,723	$92,109
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-18,809	11,247	-13,476	-4,952
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period	-244	774	152	1,774
Reclassification of (gains) losses included in net income	-100	28	-318	-706
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-19,153	12,049	-13,642	-3,884
Comprehensive income	10,998	43,483	33,081	88,225
Comprehensive income	83	40	98	246
Comprehensive income attributable to Morningstar, Inc.	$11,081	$43,523	$33,179	$88,471

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$189,318	$168,160
Investments	38,490	130,407
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $1,323 and $1,089, respectively	124,966	114,131
Deferred tax asset, net	7,524	3,892
Income tax receivable, net	4,427	3,942
Other	23,619	26,361
Total current assets	388,344	446,893
Property, equipment, and capitalized software, net	112,584	104,986
Investments in unconsolidated entities	30,428	38,714
Goodwill	378,969	326,450
Intangible assets, net	103,443	103,909
Other assets	6,407	9,716
Total assets	1,020,175	1,030,668
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	38,495	42,131
Accrued compensation	67,692	71,403
Deferred revenue	150,051	149,225
Short-term debt	30,017	0
Other	4,632	6,786
Total current liabilities	290,887	269,545
Accrued compensation	6,905	8,193
Deferred tax liability, net	17,565	23,755
Deferred rent	23,460	23,938
Other long-term liabilities	10,839	13,947
Total liabilities	349,656	339,378
Morningstar, Inc. shareholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock, no par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, of which 44,661,350 and 44,967,423 shares were outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	5	5
Treasury stock at cost, 7,809,277 shares as of September 30, 2014 and 7,202,896 shares as of December 31, 2013	-493,642	-449,054
Additional paid-in capital	553,172	539,507
Retained earnings	618,484	594,626
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'
Currency translation adjustment	-8,833	4,609
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities	398	564
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-8,435	5,173
Total Morningstar, Inc. shareholders' equity	669,584	690,257
Noncontrolling interest	935	1,033
Total equity	670,519	691,290
Total liabilities and equity	$1,020,175	$1,030,668

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current	$1,323	$1,089
Common Stock, No Par Value	$0	$0
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	44,661,350	44,967,423
Treasury Stock, Shares	7,809,277	7,202,896

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, 2013	$691,290	$5	($449,054)	$539,507	$594,626	$5,173	$1,033
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	44,967,423	44,967,423	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	46,723	'	'	'	46,787	'	-64
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale investments, net of income tax of $82	152	'	'	'	'	152	0
Reclassification of adjustments for gains included in net income, net of income tax of $187	-318	'	'	'	'	-318	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net	-13,476	'	'	'	'	-13,442	-34
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-13,642	'	'	'	'	-13,608	-34
Issuance of common stock related to stock-option exercises and vesting of restricted stock units, net	-1,356	0	1,261	-2,617	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock related to stock-option exercises and vesting of restricted stock units, net (in shares)	'	317,579	'	'	'	'	'
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation - restricted stock units	13,253	'	'	'	'	'	'
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition	'	'	'	13,253	'	'	'
Excess tax benefit derived from stock-option exercises and vesting of restricted stock units	2,945	'	'	2,945	'	'	'
Common share repurchased	-45,849	'	-45,849	'	'	'	'
Common share repurchased (in shares)	'	-623,652	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends declared - common shares outstanding	-22,779	'	'	'	-22,779	'	'
Dividends declared - restricted stock units	-66	'	'	84	-150	'	'
Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$670,519	$5	($493,642)	$553,172	$618,484	($8,435)	$935
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2014	44,661,350	44,661,350	'	'	'	'	'

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Tax	$82
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment for Sale of Securities Included in Net Income, Tax	$187

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Operating activities	'	'
Consolidated net income	$46,723	$92,109
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	40,336	33,858
Deferred income taxes	-5,367	-2,315
Stock-based compensation expense	13,253	11,153
Provision for bad debt	308	730
Equity in net income of unconsolidated entities	-1,433	-1,172
Excess tax benefits from stock-option exercises and vesting of restricted stock units	-2,945	-4,093
Holding gain upon acquisition of additional ownership of equity method investments	-5,168	-3,635
Other, net	200	12
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-12,588	-1,249
Other assets	-3,333	-2,887
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-1,224	-3,151
Accrued compensation	3,376	-8,404
Income taxes- current	3,542	17,205
Deferred revenue	548	6,004
Deferred rent	33	-1,273
Other liabilities	-973	-679
Cash provided by operating activities	75,288	132,213
Investing activities	'	'
Purchases of investments	-10,612	-113,824
Proceeds from maturities and sales of investments	103,120	108,599
Capital expenditures	-42,756	-27,950
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-64,447	-11,079
Proceeds from sale of a business	0	957
Purchases of equity- and cost-method investments	0	-2,751
Other, net	229	432
Cash used for investing activities	-14,466	-45,616
Financing activities	'	'
Proceeds from stock-option exercises, net	3,766	3,172
Employee taxes withheld for restricted stock units	-5,122	-5,276
Excess tax benefits from stock-option exercises and vesting of restricted stock units	2,945	4,093
Common shares repurchased	-42,100	-62,794
Dividends paid	-22,912	-11,657
Proceeds from short-term debt	30,000	0
Other, net	-9	-54
Cash provided by (used for) financing activities	-33,432	-72,516
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-6,232	-1,011
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	21,158	13,070
Cash and cash equivalents-beginning of period	168,160	163,889
Cash and cash equivalents-end of period	189,318	176,959
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:	'	'
Cash paid for income taxes	22,044	27,700
Supplemental information of non-cash investing and financing activities:	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments	-270	1,675
Equipment obtained under long-term financing arrangement	$0	$4,860

Basis_of_Presentation_of_Inter

Basis of Presentation of Interim Financial Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
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 (U.S. GAAP) 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, 2013, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2014.
	Certain prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period's presentation. We now include development expense, which was previously reported as a separate operating expense category, in the cost of revenue category. We have reclassified development expense to include it in cost of revenue for all periods presented.
	Separately, as a result of our move to a more centralized structure in the third quarter of 2013 (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 first nine months of 2014 as compared with the same period in 2013, changes related to our more centralized organizational structure added $14 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 $8 million and $6 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

Correction

Correction	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]	'
Correction	'
	Correction
	In 2014, we identified and corrected an immaterial classification error related to the current and long-term balance for deferred rent included on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2013. The correcting entries had the effect of decreasing accounts payable and accrued liabilities by $10.7 million and increasing deferred rent (long-term) by the same amount. The financial statements have been corrected to reduce the current balance and increase the long-term balance as shown in the table below:
		As of December 31, 2013
	$0	Previously Reported		Correction			As Corrected
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	52,877	$	(10,746	)	$	42,131
	Deferred rent	$	13,192	$	10,746		$	23,938

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	We discuss our significant accounting policies in Note 2 of our Audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2014.
	In addition, effective January 1, 2014, we adopted FASB ASU No. 2013-05, Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830): Parent's Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or an Investment in a Foreign Entity (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force). ASU No. 2013-05 specifies that when a reporting entity (parent) ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a business within a foreign entity, the parent is required to apply the guidance in Subtopic 830-30 to release any related cumulative translation adjustment into net income. Accordingly, the cumulative translation adjustment should be released into net income only if the sale or transfer results in the complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or group of assets had resided. Additionally, the amendments in this update clarify that the sale of an investment in a foreign entity includes both (1) events that result in the loss of a controlling financial interest in a foreign entity and (2) events that results in an acquirer obtaining control of an acquiree in which it held an equity interest immediately before the acquisition date (sometimes referred to as a step acquisition). The currency translation adjustment should be released into net income upon the occurrence of those events. The adoption of ASU No. 2013-05 did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
	We also adopted FASB ASU No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force), effective January 1, 2014. This update requires an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit as a reduction of a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss (NOL) carryforward, or similar tax loss or tax credit carryforward, rather than as a liability when (1) the uncertain tax position would reduce the NOL or other carryforward under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction and (2) the entity intends to use the deferred tax asset for that purpose. The update does not require new recurring disclosures. The adoption of ASU No. 2013-11 did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
	On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for us on January 1, 2017. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We have not yet selected a transition method nor have we determined the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting.

Credit_Arrangements_Notes

Credit Arrangements (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Credit Arrangements	'
	Credit Arrangements
	In July 2014, the company entered into a one year, $75.0 million, single-bank revolving credit facility. The company drew on the credit facility during the third quarter and had an outstanding principal balance of $30.0 million at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 100 basis points as of September 30, 2014, leaving borrowing availability of $45.0 million.

Acquisitions_Goodwill_and_Othe

Acquisitions, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Acquisitions
	Increased Ownership Interest in HelloWallet Holdings, Inc.
	In June 2014, we acquired an additional 81.3% interest in HelloWallet Holdings, Inc. (HelloWallet), increasing our ownership to 100% from 18.7%. HelloWallet combines behavioral economics and the psychology of decision-making with sophisticated technology to provide personalized, unbiased financial guidance to U.S. workers and their families through their employer benefit plans. We began consolidating the financial results of this acquisition in our Consolidated Financial Statements on June 3, 2014.
	HelloWallet's total preliminary estimated fair value of $54,006,000 includes $40,525,000 in cash paid to acquire the remaining 81.3% interest in HelloWallet and pay off HelloWallet's indebtedness as well as $13,481,000 related to the 18.7% of HelloWallet we previously held. We recorded a preliminary non-cash holding gain of $5,168,000 for the difference between the fair value and the book value of our previously held investment. The gain is included in non-operating income in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
	The purchase price valuation will be finalized upon the completion of the fair value analysis of the acquired assets and liabilities, including the preliminary intangible assets. We have not yet obtained all of the information related to the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities to finalize the purchase price allocation. The primary areas that are not yet finalized relate to the valuation of the identifiable intangible assets and income taxes.
	The following table summarizes our preliminary allocation of the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition, all of which are preliminary pending completion of the final valuation:
		$0
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,739
	Accounts receivable and other current assets	150
	Other current and non-current assets	318
	Deferred tax asset	7,340
	Intangible assets	9,460
	Goodwill	40,472
	Deferred revenue	(2,897		)
	Deferred tax liability	(3,595		)
	Other current and non-current liabilities	(981		)
	Total fair value of HelloWallet	$	54,006
	The preliminary allocation includes $9,460,000 of acquired intangible assets, as follows:
		$0			Weighted Average Useful Life (years)
	Technology based assets	6,670			5
	Intellectual property (trademarks and trade names)	169			3
	Non-competition agreement	2,621			5
	Total intangible assets	$	9,460		5
	We recognized a preliminary deferred tax liability of $3,595,000 mainly because the amortization expense related to certain intangible assets is not deductible for income tax purposes. The fair value of the acquired intangible assets and the deferred tax liability are preliminary pending receipt of the final valuation for these assets.
	We recognized a preliminary deferred tax asset of $7,340,000 mainly because of net operating losses of HelloWallet which will become available to Morningstar.
	Preliminary goodwill of $40,472,000 represents the premium over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. We paid this premium for a number of reasons, including the opportunity to bring together HelloWallet's comprehensive financial wellness expertise with Morningstar's independent, research-based retirement advice to create a holistic retirement savings and advice offering.
	ByAllAccounts, Inc.
	In April 2014, we acquired ByAllAccounts, Inc. (ByAllAccounts), a provider of innovative data aggregation technology for financial applications for $27,949,000 in cash. ByAllAccounts uses a knowledge-based process, including patented artificial intelligence technology, to collect, consolidate, and enrich financial account data and deliver it to virtually any platform. We began including the financial results of this acquisition in our Consolidated Financial Statements on April 1, 2014.
	The purchase price valuation will be finalized upon the completion of the fair value analysis of the acquired assets and liabilities, including the preliminary intangible assets. We have not yet obtained all of the information related to the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities to finalize the purchase price allocation. The primary areas that are not yet finalized relate to the valuation of the identifiable intangible assets and income taxes.
	The following table summarizes our preliminary allocation of the purchase price to the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition, all of which are preliminary pending completion of the final valuation:
		$0
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	287
	Accounts receivable and other current assets	152
	Deferred tax asset	3,685
	Other current and non-current assets	257
	Intangible assets	8,681
	Goodwill	18,778
	Deferred revenue	(79		)
	Deferred tax liability	(3,299		)
	Other current and non-current liabilities	(513		)
	Total purchase price	$	27,949
	The preliminary allocation includes $8,681,000 of acquired intangible assets, as follows:
		$0			Weighted Average Useful Life (years)
	Customer-related assets	$	5,506		24
	Technology-based assets	3,020			4.5
	Intellectual property (trademarks and trade names)	47			1
	Non-competition agreement	108			3
	Total intangible assets	$	8,681		19
	We recognized a preliminary deferred tax liability of $3,299,000 mainly because the amortization expense related to certain intangible assets is not deductible for income tax purposes. The fair value of the acquired intangible assets and the deferred tax liability are preliminary pending receipt of the final valuation for these intangible assets.
	We recognized a preliminary deferred tax asset of $3,685,000 mainly because of net operating losses of ByAllAccounts which will become available to Morningstar.
	Preliminary goodwill value of $18,778,000 represents the premium we paid over the fair value of the acquired net tangible and intangible assets. We paid this premium for a number of reasons, including the opportunity to integrate the service into our offerings as well as expand and develop ByAllAccounts' third-party distribution relationships.
	Goodwill
	The following table shows the changes in our goodwill balances from December 31, 2013 to September 30, 2014:
		$0
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	326,450
	Acquisitions of HelloWallet and ByAllAccounts	59,250
	Foreign currency translation	(6,731		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	378,969
	We did not record any impairment losses in the first nine months of 2014 or 2013. We perform our annual impairment reviews in the fourth quarter.
	Intangible Assets
	The following table summarizes our intangible assets:
		As of September 30, 2014										As of December 31, 2013
$0	Gross			Accumulated			Net		Weighted		Gross		Accumulated			Net		Weighted
				Amortization					Average				Amortization					Average
									Useful  Life									Useful  Life
									(years)									(years)
Intellectual property	$	29,539		$	(24,844	)	$	4,695	9		$	29,477	$	(23,128	)	$	6,349	9
Customer-related assets	144,359			(82,076		)	62,283		12		141,833		(74,311		)	67,522		12
Supplier relationships	240			(117		)	123		20		240		(108		)	132		20
Technology-based assets	89,789			(56,050		)	33,739		8		80,489		(50,673		)	29,816		9
Non-competition agreement	4,379			(1,776		)	2,603		5		1,661		(1,571		)	90		4
Total intangible assets	$	268,306		$	(164,863	)	$	103,443	11		$	253,700	$	(149,791	)	$	103,909	10
The following table summarizes our amortization expense related to intangible assets:
	Three months ended September 30						Nine months ended September 30
$0	2014			2013			2014		2013
Amortization expense	$	5,912		$	5,287		$	16,555	$	16,249
We amortize intangible assets using the straight-line method over their expected economic useful lives.
We expect intangible amortization expense for 2014 and subsequent years as follows:
	$0
2014	$	22,059
2015	22,251
2016	17,693
2017	13,145
2018	10,965
Thereafter	33,885
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

Income Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
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)	2014				2013			2014			2013
	Basic net income per share attributable to Morningstar, Inc.:
	Net income attributable to Morningstar, Inc.:	$	30,180			$	31,463		$	46,787		$	92,202
	Less: Distributed earnings available to participating securities	(1		)		—			(6		)	(5		)
	Less: Undistributed earnings available to participating securities	(4		)		(11		)	(4		)	(29		)
	Numerator for basic net income per share — undistributed and distributed earnings available to common shareholders	$	30,175			$	31,452		$	46,777		$	92,168
	Weighted average common shares outstanding	44,734				46,080			44,763			46,293
	Basic net income per share attributable to Morningstar, Inc.	$	0.67			$	0.68		$	1.04		$	1.99
	Diluted net income per share attributable to Morningstar, Inc.:
	Numerator for basic net income per share — undistributed and distributed earnings available to common shareholders	$	30,175			$	31,452		$	46,777		$	92,168
	Add: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	4				11			4			29
	Less: Undistributed earnings reallocated to participating securities	(4		)		(11		)	(4		)	(29		)
	Numerator for diluted net income per share — undistributed and distributed earnings available to common shareholders	$	30,175			$	31,452		$	46,777		$	92,168
	Weighted average common shares outstanding	44,734				46,080			44,763			46,293
	Net effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units	155				439			227			342
	Weighted average common shares outstanding for computing diluted income per share	44,889				46,519			44,990			46,635
	Diluted net income per share attributable to Morningstar, Inc.	$	0.67			$	0.68		$	1.04		$	1.98
	The following table shows the number of restricted stock units and performance share awards 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)	2014			2013			2014		2013
	Weighted average restricted stock units	83			1			34		19
	Weighted average performance share awards	9			—			7		—
	Total	92			1			41		19
	Stock options and restricted stock could be included in the calculation in the future.

Segment_and_Geographical_Area_

Segment and Geographical Area Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
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 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. 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	2014		2013		2014		2013
	Investment information	$	152,252	$	137,216	$	443,049	$	412,332
	Investment management	40,854		36,266		120,607		105,434
	Consolidated revenue	$	193,106	$	173,482	$	563,656	$	517,766
	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	2014		2013		2014		2013
	United States	$	141,276	$	124,998	$	407,681	$	372,746
	United Kingdom	15,190		14,148		46,071		41,316
	Continental Europe	15,562		14,666		47,109		41,826
	Australia	8,866		8,041		26,267		26,569
	Canada	7,391		7,603		22,599		23,151
	Asia	3,950		3,363		11,547		10,236
	Other	871		663		2,382		1,922
	Total International	51,830		48,484		155,975		145,020
	Consolidated revenue	$	193,106	$	173,482	$	563,656	$	517,766
	Long-lived assets by geographical area
		As of September 30		As of December 31
	$0	2014		2013
	United States	$	94,103	$	84,321
	United Kingdom	6,994		6,873
	Continental Europe	1,410		1,873
	Australia	926		1,051
	Canada	926		1,275
	Asia	8,138		9,479
	Other	87		114
	Total International	18,481		20,665
	Consolidated property, equipment, and capitalized software, net	$	112,584	$	104,986

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea

Investments and Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
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 into three categories: available-for-sale, held-to-maturity, and trading. Our investment portfolio is primarily invested in proprietary Morningstar portfolios, exchange-traded funds that seek to track the performance of certain Morningstar proprietary indexes, and various mutual funds. We classify our investment portfolio as shown below:
			As of September 30		As of December 31
	$0		2014		2013
	Available-for-sale		$	12,226	$	91,461
	Held-to-maturity		18,059		31,214
	Trading securities		8,205		7,732
	Total		$	38,490	$	130,407
	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, 2014											As of December 31, 2013
	$0		Cost		Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair			Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair
					Gain			Loss			Value					Gain		Loss			Value
	Available-for-sale:
	Government obligations		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	19,693	$	8	$	(3	)	$	19,698
	Corporate bonds		—		—			—			—			49,913		22		(124		)	49,811
	Foreign obligations		—		—			—			—			505		—		(2		)	503
	Commercial paper		—		—			—			—			9,482		7		—			9,489
	Equity securities and exchange-traded funds		6,499		477			(81		)	6,895			8,872		1,011		(141		)	9,742
	Mutual funds		5,097		372			(138		)	5,331			2,095		221		(98		)	2,218
	Total		$	11,596	$	849		$	(219	)	$	12,226		$	90,560	$	1,269	$	(368	)	$	91,461
	Held-to-maturity:
	Certificates of deposit		$	18,059	$	—		$	—		$	18,059		$	31,214	$	—	$	—		$	31,214
	As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, 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, 2014 and December 31, 2013. 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, 2014					As of December 31, 2013
	$0		Cost		Fair Value			Cost			Fair Value
	Available-for-sale:
	Due in one year or less		$	—	$	—		$	45,486		$	45,402
	Due in one to two years		—		—			34,107			34,099
	Equity securities, exchange-traded funds, and mutual funds		11,596		12,226			10,967			11,960
	Total		$	11,596	$	12,226		$	90,560		$	91,461
	Held-to-maturity:
	Due in one year or less		$	18,054	$	18,054		$	31,210		$	31,210
	Due in one to three years		5		5			4			4
	Total		$	18,059	$	18,059		$	31,214		$	31,214
	As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, held-to-maturity investments included a $1.5 million 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		2014		2013			2014			2013
	Realized gains		$	158	$	94		$	731		$	2,320
	Realized losses		—		(136		)	(226		)	(1,214		)
	Realized gains (losses), net		$	158	$	(42	)	$	505		$	1,106
	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		2014		2013			2014			2013
	Unrealized gains (losses), net		$	272	$	(741	)	$	117		$	(468	)
	The table below shows the fair value of our assets subject to fair value measurements 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:
			Fair Value		Fair Value Measurements as of September 30, 2014
			as of		Using Fair Value Hierarchy
	$0		September 30, 2014		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Available-for-sale investments:
	Government obligations		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—
	Corporate bonds		—		—			—			—
	Foreign obligations		—		—			—			—
	Commercial paper		—		—			—			—
	Equity securities and exchange-traded funds		6,895		6,895			—			—
	Mutual funds		5,331		5,331			—			—
	Trading securities		8,205		8,205			—			—
	Cash equivalents		428		428			—			—
	Total		$	20,859	$	20,859		$	—		$	—
			Fair Value		Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2013
			as of		Using Fair Value Hierarchy
$0		December 31, 2013		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
Available-for-sale investments:
Government obligations		$	19,698	$	—		$	19,698		$	—
Corporate bonds		49,811		—			49,811			—
Foreign obligations		503		—			503			—
Commercial paper		9,489		—			9,489			—
Equity securities and exchange-traded funds		9,742		9,742			—			—
Mutual funds		2,218		2,218			—			—
Trading securities		7,732		7,732			—			—
Cash equivalents		925		925			—			—
Total		$	100,118	$	20,617		$	79,501		$	—
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, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

Investments_in_Unconsolidated_

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
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	2014			2013
	Investment in MJKK	$	22,615		$	21,782
	Other equity method investments	5,440			6,166
	Investments accounted for using the cost method	2,373			10,766
	Total investments in unconsolidated entities	$	30,428		$	38,714
	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
		2014			2013
	Morningstar’s approximate ownership of MJKK	34		%	34		%
	Approximate market value of Morningstar’s ownership in MJKK:
	Japanese yen (¥000)	¥	7,264,858		¥	9,824,068
	Equivalent U.S. dollars ($000)	$	66,401		$	94,999
	Other Equity Method Investments. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, 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, 2014 and December 31, 2013. YCharts is a technology company that provides stock research and analysis. Our ownership interest in YCharts was approximately 22% as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	We did not record any impairment losses on our equity method investments in the first nine months of 2014 or 2013.
	Cost Method Investments. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, our cost method investments consist of a minority investment in Pitchbook Data, Inc. (Pitchbook). Pitchbook offers detailed data and information about private equity transactions, investors, companies, limited partners, and service providers.
	As of December 31, 2013, our cost method investments also included a minority investment in HelloWallet LLC (HelloWallet). In June 2014, we purchased the remaining interest in HelloWallet. See Note 5 for additional information concerning our acquisition of HelloWallet.
	We did not record any impairment losses on our cost method investments in the first nine months of 2014 or 2013.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
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, performance share awards, 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)	2014
	Shares available for future grants	4,257
	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	2014			2013				2014			2013
	Restricted stock units	$	4,587		$	3,196			$	12,262		$	10,493
	Restricted stock	97			97				291			291
	Performance share awards	172			—				372			—
	Stock options	95			123				328			369
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	4,951		$	3,416			$	13,253		$	11,153
	Income tax benefit related to the stock-based compensation expense	$	1,446		$	846			$	3,808		$	2,944
	The following table summarizes the amount of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense as of September 30, 2014 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	$	34,989		34
	Restricted stock	257			9
	Performance share awards	1,545			27
	Stock options	226			7
	Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	$	37,017		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 the 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 2014:
	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)	Unvested		Vested but			Total			Weighted
				Deferred						Average
										Grant Date Value
										per RSU
	RSUs outstanding—December 31, 2013	680,002		16,682			696,684			$	62.02
	Granted	245,350		—			245,350			73.11
	Dividend equivalents	2,083		113			2,196			58.13
	Vested	(235,053	)	—			(235,053	)		57.48
	Issued	—		(2,054	)		(2,054	)		53.54
	Forfeited	(27,673	)	—			(27,673	)		64.45
	RSUs Outstanding - September 30, 2014	664,709		14,741			679,450			$	67.49
	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 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.
	Performance Share Awards
	In 2014, executive officers, other than Joe Mansueto, were granted performance share awards pursuant to which each executive becomes entitled to a number of shares of Morningstar common stock equal to the number of notional performance shares that become vested. Each award specifies a number of performance shares that will vest if pre-established target performance goals are attained. The number of performance shares that actually vest may be more or less than the specified number of performance shares to the extent Morningstar exceeds or fails to achieve, respectively, the target performance goals over a three-year performance period.
	The performance conditions are not considered in the determination of the grant date fair value for these awards; instead, the grant date fair value is based on the closing market price of the underlying common stock on the day prior to the grant date. We amortize that value to stock-based compensation expense, based on the satisfaction of the performance condition that is most likely to be satisfied over the three-year service period ratably over the vesting period.
	Information as of September 30, 2014 regarding the company's target performance share awards granted and shares that would be issued at current performance levels for performance share awards granted during the first nine months of 2014 is as follows:
		As of September 30, 2014
	Target performance share awards granted	23,685
	Fair value per award (1)	$	80.91
	Number of shares that would be issued based on current performance levels	23,685
	Unamortized expense, based on current performance levels	$	1,545,000
	(1) Represents the closing market price of Morningstar's stock on March 14, 2014, which is the last closing price prior to the grant date.
	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 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 2014 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, 2013	179,559		$	21.47
Granted	—		—
Canceled	—		—
Exercised	(93,116	)	21.92
Options outstanding—September 30, 2014	86,443		22.14
Options exercisable—September 30, 2014	86,443		$	22.14
All Other Option Grants, Excluding Activity Shown Above	Underlying		Weighted
	Shares		Average
			Exercise
			Price
Options outstanding—December 31, 2013	253,972		$	36.48
Granted	—		—
Canceled	—		—
Exercised	(58,326	)	30.09
Options outstanding—September 30, 2014	195,646		39.02
Options exercisable—September 30, 2014	179,176		$	37.31
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	2014			2013
Intrinsic value of options exercised	$	7,238		$	8,964
The table below shows additional information for options outstanding and exercisable as of September 30, 2014:
	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)
$22.06 - $27.24	203,908		0.42		$	25.08			$	8,732		203,908	0.42	$	25.08	$	8,732
$40.08 - $50.46	6,506		1.17		48.61				125			6,506	1.17	48.61		125
$57.28 - $59.35	71,675		6.76		57.46				749			55,205	6.75	57.39		555
$22.06 - $59.35	282,089		2.05		$	33.85			$	9,606		265,619	1.75	$	32.37	$	9,412
Vested or Expected to Vest
$22.06 - $59.35	282,089		2.05		$	33.85			$	9,606
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, 2014. The intrinsic value is based on our closing stock price of $67.90 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 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The following table summarizes our excess tax benefits:
	Three months ended September 30							Nine months ended September 30
$0	2014			2013				2014			2013
Excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation	$	1,032		$	251			$	2,945		$	4,093

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	Effective Tax Rate
	The following table shows our effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013:
		Three months ended September 30						Nine months ended September 30
	$0	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated entities	$	44,963		$	45,384		$	65,478		$	133,584
	Equity in net income of unconsolidated entities	337			315			1,433			1,172
	Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	29			29			64			93
	Total	$	45,329		$	45,728		$	66,975		$	134,849
	Income tax expense	$	15,149		$	14,265		$	20,188		$	42,647
	Effective tax rate	33.4		%	31.2		%	30.1		%	31.6		%
	Our effective tax rate in the third quarter of 2014 was 33.4%, an increase of 2.2 percentage points compared with 31.2% in the prior-year period. The effective tax rate increase primarily reflects deferred income tax benefits and additional tax credits and incentives that were recognized in the prior-year period.
	During the first nine months of 2014, we reported income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated entities of $65.5 million, which included a litigation settlement expense of $61.0 million that is deductible for tax purposes. In the same period, we realized a $5.2 million non-taxable gain in connection with the purchase of the remaining ownership interest in HelloWallet. Because of these two items, we reported an income tax expense of $20.2 million, which is equivalent to a 30.1% effective tax rate. This tax rate is lower than the statutory rate mainly because of the non-taxable gain of $5.2 million.
	Unrecognized Tax Benefits
	The table below provides information concerning our gross unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, as well as 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	2014			2013
	Gross unrecognized tax benefits	$	11,469		$	12,958
	Gross unrecognized tax benefits that would affect income tax expense	$	11,469		$	10,557
	Decrease in income tax expense upon recognition of gross unrecognized tax benefits	$	9,932		$	9,262
	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)	2014			2013
	Current liability	$	4,075		$	6,211
	Non-current liability	7,085			6,012
	Total liability for unrecognized tax benefits	$	11,160		$	12,223
	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 2014. 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 66% of our cash, cash equivalents, and investments as of September 30, 2014 was held by our operations outside of the United States. 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 reasonably practical 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, 2014
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 claimed that Morningstar committed fraud and aided and abetted the other defendants' breach of fiduciary duty through the 5-star rating LG obtained from Morningstar. 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.
	In April 2012, the Receiver filed a complaint against Morningstar, in which the Receiver claimed that Morningstar was liable for contribution and aiding and abetting Stinson's breach of fiduciary duty and fraud through the 5-star rating LG obtained from Morningstar. On August 5, 2014, after a bench trial, the judge found in Morningstar’s favor on all claims. On October 14, 2014, the plaintiffs in the Klass Matter filed a Notice of Voluntary Dismissal as to all claims against Morningstar.
	Business Logic Holding Corporation
	On July 17, 2014, Morningstar and Ibbotson entered into a settlement agreement with Business Logic Holding Corporation (Business Logic). Pursuant to the settlement agreement, Morningstar paid Business Logic $61.0 million during the third quarter of 2014. This obligation was accrued as of June 30, 2014 and the corresponding expense is reported as "Litigation settlement" in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
	Other Proceedings
	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, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Share Repurchase Program	'
	Share Repurchase Program
	We have an ongoing authorization, originally approved by our board of directors in September 2010, and subsequently amended, to repurchase up to $700 million in shares of our outstanding common stock. The authorization expires on December 31, 2015. We may repurchase shares from time to time at prevailing market prices on the open market or in private transactions in amounts that we deem appropriate.
	As of September 30, 2014, we had repurchased a total of 7,691,658 shares for $495.6 million under this authorization.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Separately, as a result of our move to a more centralized structure in the third quarter of 2013 (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 first nine months of 2014 as compared with the same period in 2013, changes related to our more centralized organizational structure added $14 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 $8 million and $6 million, respectively. These changes did not affect our total operating expense or operating income for any of the periods presented.
Segment Reporting Policy	'
	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 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. We evaluate the performance of our reporting segment based on revenue and operating income.
Investments- Debt and Equity Securities Policy	'
	We account for our investments in accordance with FASB ASC 320, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities. We classify our investments into three categories: available-for-sale, held-to-maturity, and trading. Our investment portfolio is primarily invested in proprietary Morningstar portfolios, exchange-traded funds that seek to track the performance of certain Morningstar proprietary indexes, and various mutual funds. We classify our investment portfolio as shown below:

Correction_Tables

Correction (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments	'
	The financial statements have been corrected to reduce the current balance and increase the long-term balance as shown in the table below:
		As of December 31, 2013
	$0	Previously Reported		Correction			As Corrected
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	52,877	$	(10,746	)	$	42,131
	Deferred rent	$	13,192	$	10,746		$	23,938

Acquisitions_Goodwill_and_Othe1

Acquisitions, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Goodwill	'
	The following table shows the changes in our goodwill balances from December 31, 2013 to September 30, 2014:
		$0
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	326,450
	Acquisitions of HelloWallet and ByAllAccounts	59,250
	Foreign currency translation	(6,731		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	378,969
Schedule of Intangible Assets	'
	The following table summarizes our intangible assets:
		As of September 30, 2014										As of December 31, 2013
	$0	Gross			Accumulated			Net		Weighted		Gross		Accumulated			Net		Weighted
					Amortization					Average				Amortization					Average
										Useful  Life									Useful  Life
										(years)									(years)
	Intellectual property	$	29,539		$	(24,844	)	$	4,695	9		$	29,477	$	(23,128	)	$	6,349	9
	Customer-related assets	144,359			(82,076		)	62,283		12		141,833		(74,311		)	67,522		12
	Supplier relationships	240			(117		)	123		20		240		(108		)	132		20
	Technology-based assets	89,789			(56,050		)	33,739		8		80,489		(50,673		)	29,816		9
	Non-competition agreement	4,379			(1,776		)	2,603		5		1,661		(1,571		)	90		4
	Total intangible assets	$	268,306		$	(164,863	)	$	103,443	11		$	253,700	$	(149,791	)	$	103,909	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	2014			2013			2014		2013
	Amortization expense	$	5,912		$	5,287		$	16,555	$	16,249
Schedule of Expected Amortization Expense	'
	We expect intangible amortization expense for 2014 and subsequent years as follows:
		$0
	2014	$	22,059
	2015	22,251
	2016	17,693
	2017	13,145
	2018	10,965
	Thereafter	33,885
	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.
HelloWallet [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition	'
	The following table summarizes our preliminary allocation of the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition, all of which are preliminary pending completion of the final valuation:
		$0
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,739
	Accounts receivable and other current assets	150
	Other current and non-current assets	318
	Deferred tax asset	7,340
	Intangible assets	9,460
	Goodwill	40,472
	Deferred revenue	(2,897		)
	Deferred tax liability	(3,595		)
	Other current and non-current liabilities	(981		)
	Total fair value of HelloWallet	$	54,006
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination	'
	The preliminary allocation includes $9,460,000 of acquired intangible assets, as follows:
		$0			Weighted Average Useful Life (years)
	Technology based assets	6,670			5
	Intellectual property (trademarks and trade names)	169			3
	Non-competition agreement	2,621			5
	Total intangible assets	$	9,460		5
ByAllAccounts, Inc. [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition	'
	The following table summarizes our preliminary allocation of the purchase price to the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition, all of which are preliminary pending completion of the final valuation:
		$0
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	287
	Accounts receivable and other current assets	152
	Deferred tax asset	3,685
	Other current and non-current assets	257
	Intangible assets	8,681
	Goodwill	18,778
	Deferred revenue	(79		)
	Deferred tax liability	(3,299		)
	Other current and non-current liabilities	(513		)
	Total purchase price	$	27,949
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination	'
	The preliminary allocation includes $8,681,000 of acquired intangible assets, as follows:
		$0			Weighted Average Useful Life (years)
	Customer-related assets	$	5,506		24
	Technology-based assets	3,020			4.5
	Intellectual property (trademarks and trade names)	47			1
	Non-competition agreement	108			3
	Total intangible assets	$	8,681		19

Income_Per_Share_Tables

Income Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
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 restricted stock units and performance share awards 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)	2014			2013			2014		2013
	Weighted average restricted stock units	83			1			34		19
	Weighted average performance share awards	9			—			7		—
	Total	92			1			41		19
	Stock options and restricted stock 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)	2014				2013			2014			2013
	Basic net income per share attributable to Morningstar, Inc.:
	Net income attributable to Morningstar, Inc.:	$	30,180			$	31,463		$	46,787		$	92,202
	Less: Distributed earnings available to participating securities	(1		)		—			(6		)	(5		)
	Less: Undistributed earnings available to participating securities	(4		)		(11		)	(4		)	(29		)
	Numerator for basic net income per share — undistributed and distributed earnings available to common shareholders	$	30,175			$	31,452		$	46,777		$	92,168
	Weighted average common shares outstanding	44,734				46,080			44,763			46,293
	Basic net income per share attributable to Morningstar, Inc.	$	0.67			$	0.68		$	1.04		$	1.99
	Diluted net income per share attributable to Morningstar, Inc.:
	Numerator for basic net income per share — undistributed and distributed earnings available to common shareholders	$	30,175			$	31,452		$	46,777		$	92,168
	Add: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	4				11			4			29
	Less: Undistributed earnings reallocated to participating securities	(4		)		(11		)	(4		)	(29		)
	Numerator for diluted net income per share — undistributed and distributed earnings available to common shareholders	$	30,175			$	31,452		$	46,777		$	92,168
	Weighted average common shares outstanding	44,734				46,080			44,763			46,293
	Net effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units	155				439			227			342
	Weighted average common shares outstanding for computing diluted income per share	44,889				46,519			44,990			46,635
	Diluted net income per share attributable to Morningstar, Inc.	$	0.67			$	0.68		$	1.04		$	1.98

Segment_and_Geographical_Area_1

Segment and Geographical Area Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
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	2014		2013		2014		2013
	Investment information	$	152,252	$	137,216	$	443,049	$	412,332
	Investment management	40,854		36,266		120,607		105,434
	Consolidated revenue	$	193,106	$	173,482	$	563,656	$	517,766
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	2014		2013		2014		2013
	United States	$	141,276	$	124,998	$	407,681	$	372,746
	United Kingdom	15,190		14,148		46,071		41,316
	Continental Europe	15,562		14,666		47,109		41,826
	Australia	8,866		8,041		26,267		26,569
	Canada	7,391		7,603		22,599		23,151
	Asia	3,950		3,363		11,547		10,236
	Other	871		663		2,382		1,922
	Total International	51,830		48,484		155,975		145,020
	Consolidated revenue	$	193,106	$	173,482	$	563,656	$	517,766
	Long-lived assets by geographical area
		As of September 30		As of December 31
	$0	2014		2013
	United States	$	94,103	$	84,321
	United Kingdom	6,994		6,873
	Continental Europe	1,410		1,873
	Australia	926		1,051
	Canada	926		1,275
	Asia	8,138		9,479
	Other	87		114
	Total International	18,481		20,665
	Consolidated property, equipment, and capitalized software, net	$	112,584	$	104,986

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea1

Investments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Investments	'
	ur investment portfolio is primarily invested in proprietary Morningstar portfolios, exchange-traded funds that seek to track the performance of certain Morningstar proprietary indexes, and various mutual funds. We classify our investment portfolio as shown below:
		As of September 30		As of December 31
	$0	2014		2013
	Available-for-sale	$	12,226	$	91,461
	Held-to-maturity	18,059		31,214
	Trading securities	8,205		7,732
	Total	$	38,490	$	130,407
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, 2014											As of December 31, 2013
	$0	Cost		Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair			Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair
				Gain			Loss			Value					Gain		Loss			Value
	Available-for-sale:
	Government obligations	$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	19,693	$	8	$	(3	)	$	19,698
	Corporate bonds	—		—			—			—			49,913		22		(124		)	49,811
	Foreign obligations	—		—			—			—			505		—		(2		)	503
	Commercial paper	—		—			—			—			9,482		7		—			9,489
	Equity securities and exchange-traded funds	6,499		477			(81		)	6,895			8,872		1,011		(141		)	9,742
	Mutual funds	5,097		372			(138		)	5,331			2,095		221		(98		)	2,218
	Total	$	11,596	$	849		$	(219	)	$	12,226		$	90,560	$	1,269	$	(368	)	$	91,461
	Held-to-maturity:
	Certificates of deposit	$	18,059	$	—		$	—		$	18,059		$	31,214	$	—	$	—		$	31,214
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, 2014					As of December 31, 2013
	$0	Cost		Fair Value			Cost			Fair Value
	Available-for-sale:
	Due in one year or less	$	—	$	—		$	45,486		$	45,402
	Due in one to two years	—		—			34,107			34,099
	Equity securities, exchange-traded funds, and mutual funds	11,596		12,226			10,967			11,960
	Total	$	11,596	$	12,226		$	90,560		$	91,461
	Held-to-maturity:
	Due in one year or less	$	18,054	$	18,054		$	31,210		$	31,210
	Due in one to three years	5		5			4			4
	Total	$	18,059	$	18,059		$	31,214		$	31,214
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	2014		2013			2014			2013
	Realized gains	$	158	$	94		$	731		$	2,320
	Realized losses	—		(136		)	(226		)	(1,214		)
	Realized gains (losses), net	$	158	$	(42	)	$	505		$	1,106
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	2014		2013			2014			2013
	Unrealized gains (losses), net	$	272	$	(741	)	$	117		$	(468	)
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis	'
	The table below shows the fair value of our assets subject to fair value measurements 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:
		Fair Value		Fair Value Measurements as of September 30, 2014
		as of		Using Fair Value Hierarchy
	$0	September 30, 2014		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Available-for-sale investments:
	Government obligations	$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—
	Corporate bonds	—		—			—			—
	Foreign obligations	—		—			—			—
	Commercial paper	—		—			—			—
	Equity securities and exchange-traded funds	6,895		6,895			—			—
	Mutual funds	5,331		5,331			—			—
	Trading securities	8,205		8,205			—			—
	Cash equivalents	428		428			—			—
	Total	$	20,859	$	20,859		$	—		$	—
		Fair Value		Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2013
		as of		Using Fair Value Hierarchy
	$0	December 31, 2013		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Available-for-sale investments:
	Government obligations	$	19,698	$	—		$	19,698		$	—
	Corporate bonds	49,811		—			49,811			—
	Foreign obligations	503		—			503			—
	Commercial paper	9,489		—			9,489			—
	Equity securities and exchange-traded funds	9,742		9,742			—			—
	Mutual funds	2,218		2,218			—			—
	Trading securities	7,732		7,732			—			—
	Cash equivalents	925		925			—			—
	Total	$	100,118	$	20,617		$	79,501		$	—

Investments_in_Unconsolidated_1

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
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	2014			2013
	Investment in MJKK	$	22,615		$	21,782
	Other equity method investments	5,440			6,166
	Investments accounted for using the cost method	2,373			10,766
	Total investments in unconsolidated entities	$	30,428		$	38,714
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
		2014			2013
	Morningstar’s approximate ownership of MJKK	34		%	34		%
	Approximate market value of Morningstar’s ownership in MJKK:
	Japanese yen (¥000)	¥	7,264,858		¥	9,824,068
	Equivalent U.S. dollars ($000)	$	66,401		$	94,999

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
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)	2014
	Shares available for future grants	4,257
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	2014			2013				2014			2013
	Restricted stock units	$	4,587		$	3,196			$	12,262		$	10,493
	Restricted stock	97			97				291			291
	Performance share awards	172			—				372			—
	Stock options	95			123				328			369
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	4,951		$	3,416			$	13,253		$	11,153
	Income tax benefit related to the stock-based compensation expense	$	1,446		$	846			$	3,808		$	2,944
Schedule of Unrecognized Stock-Based Compensation Expense	'
	The following table summarizes the amount of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense as of September 30, 2014 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	$	34,989		34
	Restricted stock	257			9
	Performance share awards	1,545			27
	Stock options	226			7
	Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	$	37,017		33
Schedule of Restricted Stock Units Award Activity	'
	The following table summarizes restricted stock unit activity during the first nine months of 2014:
	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)	Unvested		Vested but			Total			Weighted
				Deferred						Average
										Grant Date Value
										per RSU
	RSUs outstanding—December 31, 2013	680,002		16,682			696,684			$	62.02
	Granted	245,350		—			245,350			73.11
	Dividend equivalents	2,083		113			2,196			58.13
	Vested	(235,053	)	—			(235,053	)		57.48
	Issued	—		(2,054	)		(2,054	)		53.54
	Forfeited	(27,673	)	—			(27,673	)		64.45
	RSUs Outstanding - September 30, 2014	664,709		14,741			679,450			$	67.49
Schedule of Performance Share Activity	'
	Information as of September 30, 2014 regarding the company's target performance share awards granted and shares that would be issued at current performance levels for performance share awards granted during the first nine months of 2014 is as follows:
		As of September 30, 2014
	Target performance share awards granted	23,685
	Fair value per award (1)	$	80.91
	Number of shares that would be issued based on current performance levels	23,685
	Unamortized expense, based on current performance levels	$	1,545,000
	(1) Represents the closing market price of Morningstar's stock on March 14, 2014, which is the last closing price prior to the grant date.
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, 2013	179,559		$	21.47
	Granted	—		—
	Canceled	—		—
	Exercised	(93,116	)	21.92
	Options outstanding—September 30, 2014	86,443		22.14
	Options exercisable—September 30, 2014	86,443		$	22.14
Schedule of All Other Option Granted	'
	All Other Option Grants, Excluding Activity Shown Above	Underlying		Weighted
		Shares		Average
				Exercise
				Price
	Options outstanding—December 31, 2013	253,972		$	36.48
	Granted	—		—
	Canceled	—		—
	Exercised	(58,326	)	30.09
	Options outstanding—September 30, 2014	195,646		39.02
	Options exercisable—September 30, 2014	179,176		$	37.31
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	2014			2013
	Intrinsic value of options exercised	$	7,238		$	8,964
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, 2014:
		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)
	$22.06 - $27.24	203,908		0.42		$	25.08			$	8,732		203,908	0.42	$	25.08	$	8,732
	$40.08 - $50.46	6,506		1.17		48.61				125			6,506	1.17	48.61		125
	$57.28 - $59.35	71,675		6.76		57.46				749			55,205	6.75	57.39		555
	$22.06 - $59.35	282,089		2.05		$	33.85			$	9,606		265,619	1.75	$	32.37	$	9,412
	Vested or Expected to Vest
	$22.06 - $59.35	282,089		2.05		$	33.85			$	9,606
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	2014			2013				2014			2013
	Excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation	$	1,032		$	251			$	2,945		$	4,093

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	'
	The following table shows our effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013:
		Three months ended September 30						Nine months ended September 30
	$0	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated entities	$	44,963		$	45,384		$	65,478		$	133,584
	Equity in net income of unconsolidated entities	337			315			1,433			1,172
	Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	29			29			64			93
	Total	$	45,329		$	45,728		$	66,975		$	134,849
	Income tax expense	$	15,149		$	14,265		$	20,188		$	42,647
	Effective tax rate	33.4		%	31.2		%	30.1		%	31.6		%
Schedule of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits	'
	The table below provides information concerning our gross unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, as well as 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	2014			2013
	Gross unrecognized tax benefits	$	11,469		$	12,958
	Gross unrecognized tax benefits that would affect income tax expense	$	11,469		$	10,557
	Decrease in income tax expense upon recognition of gross unrecognized tax benefits	$	9,932		$	9,262
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)	2014			2013
	Current liability	$	4,075		$	6,211
	Non-current liability	7,085			6,012
	Total liability for unrecognized tax benefits	$	11,160		$	12,223

Basis_of_Presentation_of_Inter1

Basis of Presentation of Interim Financial Information (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
	position
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Number of positions shifted	180
Cost of Revenue [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Increase (decrease) in allocated compensation expense	14
Selling and Marketing Expense [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Increase (decrease) in allocated compensation expense	8
General and Administrative Expense [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Increase (decrease) in allocated compensation expense	6

Correction_Details

Correction (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$38,495	$42,131
Deferred rent	23,460	23,938
Previously Reported [Member]	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	'	52,877
Deferred rent	'	13,192
Correction [Member]	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	'	-10,746
Deferred rent	'	$10,746

Credit_Arrangements_Details

Credit Arrangements (Details) (Revolving Credit Facility [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
			London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'
Line of credit	'	$75,000,000	'
Outstanding principal balance	30,000,000	'	'
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	'	'	100.00%
Borrowing availability under line of credit	$45,000,000	'	'

Acquisitions_Goodwill_and_Othe2

Acquisitions, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 03, 2014	Jun. 03, 2014	Apr. 01, 2014	Apr. 02, 2014
	HelloWallet [Member]	HelloWallet [Member]	ByAllAccounts, Inc. [Member]	ByAllAccounts, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Additional percentage of ownership acquired	'	81.30%	'	'
Current ownership percentage	'	100.00%	'	'
Prior ownership percentage	'	18.70%	'	'
Estimated fair value	'	$54,006	'	$27,949
Business combination, cash paid	40,525	'	27,949	'
Previously held ownership percentage	13,481	'	'	'
Non-cash holding gain (loss)	$5,168	'	'	'

Acquisitions_Goodwill_and_Othe3

Acquisitions, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Acquisitions) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 03, 2014	Apr. 02, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			HelloWallet [Member]	ByAllAccounts, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'	$3,739	$287
Accounts receivable and other current assets	'	'	150	152
Other current and non-current assets	'	'	318	'
Deferred tax asset	'	'	7,340	3,685
Other current and non-current assets	'	'	'	257
Intangible assets	'	'	9,460	8,681
Goodwill	378,969	326,450	40,472	18,778
Deferred revenue	'	'	-2,897	-79
Deferred tax liability	'	'	-3,595	-3,299
Other current and non-current liabilities	'	'	-981	-513
Total purchase price	'	'	$54,006	$27,949

Acquisitions_Goodwill_and_Othe4

Acquisitions, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Acquired Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 03, 2014	Jun. 03, 2014	Jun. 03, 2014	Jun. 03, 2014	Apr. 01, 2014	Apr. 01, 2014	Apr. 01, 2014	Apr. 01, 2014	Apr. 01, 2014
	HelloWallet [Member]	HelloWallet [Member]	HelloWallet [Member]	HelloWallet [Member]	ByAllAccounts, Inc. [Member]	ByAllAccounts, Inc. [Member]	ByAllAccounts, Inc. [Member]	ByAllAccounts, Inc. [Member]	ByAllAccounts, Inc. [Member]
		Technology-based assets [Member]	Intellectual property (trademarks and trade names) [Member]	Non-competition agreement [Member]		Customer-related assets [Member]	Technology-based assets [Member]	Intellectual property (trademarks and trade names) [Member]	Non-competition agreement [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired	$9,460	$6,670	$169	$2,621	$8,681	$5,506	$3,020	$47	$108
Weighted Average Useful Life (years)	'5 years	'5 years	'3 years	'5 years	'19 years	'24 years	'4 years 6 months	'1 year	'3 years

Acquisitions_Goodwill_and_Othe5

Acquisitions, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Schedule of Goodwill) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$326,450
Acquisitions of HelloWallet and ByAllAccounts	59,250
Foreign currency translation	-6,731
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$378,969

Acquisitions_Goodwill_and_Othe6

Acquisitions, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Schedule of Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill, impairment loss	$0	$0	'
Gross	268,306	'	253,700
Accumulated Amortization	-164,863	'	-149,791
Intangible assets, Net	103,443	'	103,909
Weighted-Average Useful Life (years)	'11 years	'	'10 years
Intellectual Property [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gross	29,539	'	29,477
Accumulated Amortization	-24,844	'	-23,128
Intangible assets, Net	4,695	'	6,349
Weighted-Average Useful Life (years)	'9 years	'	'9 years
Customer Related Assets [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gross	144,359	'	141,833
Accumulated Amortization	-82,076	'	-74,311
Intangible assets, Net	62,283	'	67,522
Weighted-Average Useful Life (years)	'12 years	'	'12 years
Supplier Relationships [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gross	240	'	240
Accumulated Amortization	-117	'	-108
Intangible assets, Net	123	'	132
Weighted-Average Useful Life (years)	'20 years	'	'20 years
Technology-Based Assets [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gross	89,789	'	80,489
Accumulated Amortization	-56,050	'	-50,673
Intangible assets, Net	33,739	'	29,816
Weighted-Average Useful Life (years)	'8 years	'	'9 years
Non-competition Agreement [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gross	4,379	'	1,661
Accumulated Amortization	-1,776	'	-1,571
Intangible assets, Net	$2,603	'	$90
Weighted-Average Useful Life (years)	'5 years	'	'4 years

Acquisitions_Goodwill_and_Othe7

Acquisitions, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Amortization Expense) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Amortization expense	$5,912	$5,287	$16,555	$16,249
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
2014	22,059	'	22,059	'
2015	22,251	'	22,251	'
2016	17,693	'	17,693	'
2017	13,145	'	13,145	'
2018	10,965	'	10,965	'
Thereafter	$33,885	'	$33,885	'

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, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	92	1	41	19
Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to Morningstar, Inc.	$30,180	$31,463	$46,787	$92,202
Less: Distributed Earnings Available to Participating Securities	-1	0	-6	-5
Undistributed Earnings (Loss) Allocated to Participating Securities, Basic	-4	-11	-4	-29
Numerator for basic net income per share - undistributed and distributed earnings available to common shareholders	30,175	31,452	46,777	92,168
Weighted average common shares outstanding	44,734	46,080	44,763	46,293
Basic net income per share attributable to Morningstar, Inc.	$0.67	$0.68	$1.04	$1.99
Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Numerator for basic net income per share - undistributed and distributed earnings available to common shareholders	30,175	31,452	46,777	92,168
Add: Undistributed Earnings Allocated To Participating Securities	4	11	4	29
Less: Undistributed Earnings Reallocated to Participating Securities	-4	-11	-4	-29
Numerator for diluted net income per share - undistributed and distributed earnings available to common shareholders	$30,175	$31,452	$46,777	$92,168
Weighted average common shares outstanding	44,734	46,080	44,763	46,293
Net effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units	155	439	227	342
Weighted average common shares outstanding for computing diluted income per share	44,889	46,519	44,990	46,635
Diluted net income per share attributable to Morningstar, Inc.	$0.67	$0.68	$1.04	$1.98
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	83	1	34	19
Performance Shares [Member]	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	9	0	7	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, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information, Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
External revenue	$193,106	$173,482	$563,656	$517,766
U.S. [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information, Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
External revenue	141,276	124,998	407,681	372,746
Non-U.S. [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information, Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
External revenue	51,830	48,484	155,975	145,020
Investment Management [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information, Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
External revenue	40,854	36,266	120,607	105,434
Investment Information [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information, Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
External revenue	$152,252	$137,216	$443,049	$412,332

Segment_and_Geographical_Area_3

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, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
External revenue	$193,106	$173,482	$563,656	$517,766	'
Long-lived assets	112,584	'	112,584	'	104,986
United States	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
External revenue	141,276	124,998	407,681	372,746	'
Long-lived assets	94,103	'	94,103	'	84,321
Total International	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
External revenue	51,830	48,484	155,975	145,020	'
Long-lived assets	18,481	'	18,481	'	20,665
United Kingdom	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
External revenue	15,190	14,148	46,071	41,316	'
Long-lived assets	6,994	'	6,994	'	6,873
Continental Europe	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
External revenue	15,562	14,666	47,109	41,826	'
Long-lived assets	1,410	'	1,410	'	1,873
Australia	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
External revenue	8,866	8,041	26,267	26,569	'
Long-lived assets	926	'	926	'	1,051
Canada	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
External revenue	7,391	7,603	22,599	23,151	'
Long-lived assets	926	'	926	'	1,275
Asia	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
External revenue	3,950	3,363	'	'	'
Long-lived assets	8,138	'	8,138	'	9,479
Asia excluding Japan [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
External revenue	'	'	11,547	10,236	'
Other	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
External revenue	871	663	2,382	1,922	'
Long-lived assets	$87	'	$87	'	$114

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea2

Investments and Fair Value Measurements (Classification of Securities) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale	$12,226	$91,461
Held-to-maturity	18,059	31,214
Trading securities	8,205	7,732
Total	$38,490	$130,407

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, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Available-for-sale:	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Cost	$11,596	'	$11,596	'	$90,560
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain	849	'	849	'	1,269
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Loss	-219	'	-219	'	-368
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value	12,226	'	12,226	'	91,461
Held-to-maturity:	'	'	'	'	'
Held-to-maturity securities, Cost	18,059	'	18,059	'	31,214
Held-to-maturity Securities, Unrecognized Gain	0	'	0	'	0
Held-to-maturity Securities, Unrecognized Loss	0	'	0	'	0
Held-to-maturity	18,059	'	18,059	'	31,214
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, realized gains	158	94	731	2,320	'
Available-for-sale securities, realized losses	0	-136	-226	-1,214	'
Available-for-sale securities, realized gains (losses), net	158	-42	505	1,106	'
Government Obligations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale:	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Cost	0	'	0	'	19,693
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain	0	'	0	'	8
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Loss	0	'	0	'	-3
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value	0	'	0	'	19,698
Corporate Bonds [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale:	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Cost	0	'	0	'	49,913
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain	0	'	0	'	22
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Loss	0	'	0	'	-124
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value	0	'	0	'	49,811
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale:	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Cost	0	'	0	'	505
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain	0	'	0	'	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Loss	0	'	0	'	-2
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value	0	'	0	'	503
Commercial Paper [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale:	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Cost	0	'	0	'	9,482
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain	0	'	0	'	7
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Loss	0	'	0	'	0
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value	0	'	0	'	9,489
Equity Securities and Exchange-traded Funds [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale:	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Cost	6,499	'	6,499	'	8,872
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain	477	'	477	'	1,011
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Loss	-81	'	-81	'	-141
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value	6,895	'	6,895	'	9,742
Mutual Funds [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale:	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Cost	5,097	'	5,097	'	2,095
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Gain	372	'	372	'	221
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Loss	-138	'	-138	'	-98
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value	$5,331	'	$5,331	'	$2,218

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea4

Investments and Fair Value Measurements (Cost and Fair Value of Investments Classified by Maturity) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Due in one year or less, Cost	$0	$45,486,000
Available-for-sale securities, Due in one year or less, Fair Vlaue	0	45,402,000
Available-for-sale securities, Due in one to two years, Cost	0	34,107,000
Available-for-sale securities, Due in one to two years, Fair Value	0	34,099,000
Available-for-sale securities, Equity securities, exchange-traded funds, and mutual funds, Cost	11,596,000	10,967,000
Available-for-sale securities, Equity securities, exchange-traded funds, and mutual funds, Fair Value	12,226,000	11,960,000
Available-for-sale securities, Cost	11,596,000	90,560,000
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value	12,226,000	91,461,000
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities [Abstract]	'	'
Held-to-maturity securities, Due in one year or less, Cost	18,054,000	31,210,000
Held-to-maturity securities, Due within one year or less, Fair Value	18,054,000	31,210,000
Held-to-maturity securities, Due in one to three years, Cost	5,000	4,000
Held-to-maturity securities, Due in one to three years, Fair Value	5,000	4,000
Held-to-maturity securities, Cost	18,059,000	31,214,000
Held-to-maturity securities, Fair Value	18,059,000	31,214,000
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, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains (losses), net	$272	($741)	$117	($468)

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea6

Investments and Fair Value Measurements (Fair Value of Assets) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Trading securities, fair value	$8,205	$7,732
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Trading securities, fair value	8,205	7,732
Cash equivalents, fair value	428	925
Total investments, fair value	20,859	100,118
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | 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	0	19,698
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | 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	0	49,811
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | 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	0	9,489
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | 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	6,895	9,742
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | 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	5,331	2,218
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Trading securities, fair value	8,205	7,732
Cash equivalents, fair value	428	925
Total investments, fair value	20,859	20,617
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | 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, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | 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, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | 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, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | 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	6,895	9,742
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | 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	5,331	2,218
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | 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	0	79,501
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | 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	0	19,698
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | 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	0	49,811
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | 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	0	9,489
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | 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, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | 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, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | 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, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | 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, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | 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, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | 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, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | 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, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | 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] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [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	0	503
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [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, Measurements, Recurring [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	0	503
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [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)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

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]

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity method investments

'

'

'

$22,615,000

'

$21,782,000

'

$5,440,000

$6,166,000

'

'

'

'

'

Cost method investments

2,373,000

'

10,766,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total investments in unconsolidated entities

30,428,000

'

38,714,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity method investment, ownership percentage

'

'

'

34.00%

34.00%

34.00%

34.00%

'

'

22.00%

22.00%

100.00%

34.00%

34.00%

Equity method investment, approximate market value

'

'

'

66,401,000

7,264,858,000

94,999,000

9,824,068,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity-method investments, other than temporary impairment

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cost-method investments, other than temporary impairment

$0

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

StockBased_Compensation_Shares

Stock-Based Compensation (Shares Available For Future Grants) (Details)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Shares available for future grants	4,257

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, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$4,951	$3,416	$13,253	$11,153
Income tax benefit related to the stock-based compensation expense	1,446	846	3,808	2,944
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	4,587	3,196	12,262	10,493
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	97	97	291	291
Performance Shares [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	172	0	372	0
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$95	$123	$328	$369

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, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	$37,017
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	34,989
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	257
Expected amortization period (months)	'9 years
Performance Shares [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	1,545
Expected amortization period (months)	'27 years
Stock Options [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	$226
Expected amortization period (months)	'7 years

StockBased_Compensation_Restri

Stock-Based Compensation (Restricted Stock Units Activity) (Details) (Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
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	680,002
RSUs outstanding, Beginning Balance, Vested but Deferred	16,682
RSUs outstanding, Beginning Balance, Total	696,684
RSUs outstanding, Beginning Balance, Weighted Average Grant Date Valueper RSU	$62.02
Granted, Unvested	245,350
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vested But Deferred Grants In Period	0
Granted, Total	245,350
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Valueper RSU	$73.11
Dividend equivalents, Unvested	2,083
Dividend equivalents, Vestedd but Deferred	113
Dividend equivalents, Total	2,196
Dividend equivalents, Weighted Average Grant Date Valueper RSU	$58.13
Vested, Unvested	-235,053
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vested But Deferred Vested In Period	0
Vested, Total	-235,053
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Valueper RSU	$57.48
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other than Options Nonvested Issued in Period	0
Issued, Vested but Deferred	-2,054
Issued, Total	-2,054
Issued, Weighted Average Grant Date Valueper RSU	$53.54
Forfeited, Unvested	-27,673
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vested But Deferred Forfeited In Period	0
Forfeited, Total	-27,673
Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Valueper RSU	$64.45
RSUs outstanding, Ending Balance, Unvested	664,709
RSUs outstanding, Ending Balance, Vested but Deferred	14,741
RSUs outstanding, Ending Balance, Total	679,450
RSUs outstanding, Ending Balance, Weighted Average Grant Date Valueper RSU	$67.49

StockBased_Compensation_Perfor

Stock-Based Compensation (Performance Shares Activity) (Details) (Performance Shares [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Performance Shares [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Target performance share awards granted	23,685
Fair value per award (1)	$80.91	[1]
Number of shares that would be issued based on current performance levels	23,685
Unamortized expense, based on current performance levels	$1,545,000
[1]	Represents the closing market price of Morningstar's stock on March 14, 2014, which is the last closing price prior to the grant date.

StockBased_Compensation_Stock_

Stock-Based Compensation (Stock Option Activity) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Option Exercise Price Grouping [Member]	'	'
Intrinsic Value of Options Exercised [Abstract]	'	'
Intrinsic value of options exercised	$7,238	$8,964
Options Granted At Discount [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'	'
Options outstanding, Beginning Balance, Underlying Shares	179,559	'
Granted, Underlying Shares	0	'
Canceled, Underlying Shares	0	'
Exercised, Underlying Shares	-93,116	'
Options outstanding, Ending Balance, Underlying Shares	86,443	'
Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]	'	'
Options outstanding, Beginning Balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$21.47	'
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$0	'
Canceled, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$0	'
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$21.92	'
Options outstanding, Ending Balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$22.14	'
Options, Exercisable, Number of Shares and Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]	'	'
Options exercisable, Underlying Shares	86,443	'
Options exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$22.14	'
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	253,972	'
Granted, Underlying Shares	0	'
Canceled, Underlying Shares	0	'
Exercised, Underlying Shares	-58,326	'
Options outstanding, Ending Balance, Underlying Shares	195,646	'
Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]	'	'
Options outstanding, Beginning Balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$36.48	'
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$0	'
Canceled, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$0	'
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$30.09	'
Options outstanding, Ending Balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$39.02	'
Options, Exercisable, Number of Shares and Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]	'	'
Options exercisable, Underlying Shares	179,176	'
Options exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$37.31	'

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, 2014
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Closing stock price used to calculate intrinsic value	$67.90
Range One [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Range of Exercise Prices	'$22.06 - $27.24
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Limit	$22.06
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Limit	$27.24
Options Outstanding, Number of Options	203,908
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)	'0 years 5 months 1 day
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$25.08
Options Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$8,732
Options Exercisable, Exercisable Shares	203,908
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	'0 years 5 months 1 day
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$25.08
Options Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	8,732
Range Two [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Range of Exercise Prices	'$40.08 - $50.46
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Limit	$40.08
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Limit	$50.46
Options Outstanding, Number of Options	6,506
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)	'1 year 2 months 1 day
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$48.61
Options Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	125
Options Exercisable, Exercisable Shares	6,506
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	'1 year 2 months 1 day
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$48.61
Options Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	125
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)	'6 years 9 months 4 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$57.46
Options Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	749
Options Exercisable, Exercisable Shares	55,205
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	'6 years 9 months
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$57.39
Options Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	555
Range Four [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Range of Exercise Prices	'$22.06 - $59.35
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Limit	$22.06
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Limit	$59.35
Options Outstanding, Number of Options	282,089
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)	'2 years 0 months 18 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$33.85
Options Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	9,606
Options Exercisable, Exercisable Shares	265,619
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	'1 year 9 months
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$32.37
Options Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	9,412
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	$22.06
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Limit	$59.35
Vested or Expected to Vest, Range of Exercise Prices	'$22.06 - $59.35
Vested or Expected to Vest, Number of Options	282,089
Vested or Expected to Vest, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	'2 years 0 months 18 days
Vested or Expected to Vest, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$33.85
Vested or Expected to Vest, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$9,606

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, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation	$1,032	$251	$2,945	$4,093

StockBased_Compensation_Restri1

Stock-Based Compensation (Restricted Stock Activity Related to the Realpoint Acquisition) (Details) (USD $)	3-May-10	Sep. 30, 2014
	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, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2013
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Amount [Abstract]	'		'		'		'		'
Income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated entities	$44,963		$45,384		$65,478		$133,584		'
Equity in net income of unconsolidated entities	337		315		1,433		1,172		'
Net (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	29		29		64		93		'
Total	45,329		45,728		66,975		134,849		'
Income tax expense	15,149		14,265		20,188		42,647		'
Effective income tax rate	33.40%		31.20%		30.10%		31.60%		'
Litigation settlement expense	0	[1]	0	[1]	61,000	[1]	0	[1]	'
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, change in percentage points compared with prior year period	'		2.2		'		'		'
Non-taxable gain realized	0		-78		5,168		3,635		'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued [Abstract]	'		'		'		'		'
Current liabilities	4,075		'		4,075		'		6,211
Non-current liabilities	7,085		'		7,085		'		6,012
Total liability for unrecognized tax benefits	$11,160		'		$11,160		'		$12,223
Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments [Member] | Non-U.S. [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Percentage of cash, cash equivalents and investments held by operations outside of US	'		'		66.00%		'		'
[1]	See Note 12, Contingencies, for additional information.

Income_Taxes_Income_Tax_Contin

Income Taxes (Income Tax Contingency) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Gross unrecognized tax benefits	$11,469	$12,958
Gross unrecognized tax benefits which would affect income tax expense	11,469	10,557
Decrease in income tax expense upon recognition of gross unrecognized tax benefits	$9,932	$9,262

Contingencies_Details

Contingencies (Details) (Business Logic Holding Corporation [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 17, 2014
Business Logic Holding Corporation [Member]	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'
Litigation settlement, amount	$61

Share_Repurchase_Program_Detai

Share Repurchase Program (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Shares repurchased, program life to date, shares	7,691,658
Shares repurchased, program life to date, value	$495,600,000
Share repurchase program, authorized amount	$700,000,000