Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets
Allowances for doubtful accounts	$ 22,128	$ 24,868
Diebold, Incorporated shareholders' equity
Preferred shares, par value	$ 0	$ 0
Preferred shares, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred shares, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 1.25	$ 1.25
Common shares, shares authorized	125,000,000	125,000,000
Common shares, shares issued	76,840,956	76,365,124
Common stock, shares outstanding	62,513,615	65,717,103
Treasury shares	14,327,341	10,648,021