Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Income used in basic and diluted earnings per share:
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	$ 26,502	$ 20,275	$ 71,665	$ 22,787
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	529	0	518
Net income attributable to Diebold, Incorporated	$ 26,502	$ 20,804	$ 71,665	$ 23,305
Denominator (in thousands):
Weighted-average number of common shares used in basic earnings per share	63,064	65,028	62,899	65,393
Effect of dilutive shares	971	454	896	449
Weighted-average number of shares used in diluted earnings per share	64,035	65,482	63,795	65,842
Basic earnings per share
Net Income from continuing operations	$ 0.42	$ 0.31	$ 1.14	$ 0.35
Income from discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.01	$ 0.00	$ 0.01
Net income attributable to Diebold, Incorporated	$ 0.42	$ 0.32	$ 1.14	$ 0.36
Diluted earnings per share
Net Income from continuing operations	$ 0.41	$ 0.31	$ 1.12	$ 0.34
Loss from discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.01	$ 0.00	$ 0.01
Net income attributable to Diebold, Incorporated	$ 0.41	$ 0.32	$ 1.12	$ 0.35
Anti-dilutive shares (in thousands):
Anti-dilutive shares not used in calculating diluted weighted-average shares	1,980	2,092	1,985	2,057