Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Income used in basic and diluted earnings per share:
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	$ 17,434	$ 41,755	$ 89,099	$ 64,542
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	0	0	518
Net income attributable to Diebold, Incorporated	$ 17,434	$ 41,755	$ 89,099	$ 65,060
Denominator (in thousands):
Weighted-average number of common shares used in basic earnings per share	63,211	63,626	63,003	64,797
Effect of dilutive shares	923	560	927	507
Weighted-average number of shares used in diluted earnings per share	64,134	64,186	63,930	65,304
Basic earnings per share
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	$ 0.28	$ 0.66	$ 1.41	$ 0.99
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.01
Net income attributable to Diebold, Incorporated	$ 0.28	$ 0.66	$ 1.41	$ 1.00
Diluted earnings per share
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	$ 0.27	$ 0.65	$ 1.39	$ 0.99
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.01
Net income attributable to Diebold, Incorporated	$ 0.27	$ 0.65	$ 1.39	$ 1.00
Anti-dilutive shares (in thouslands):
Anti-dilutive shares not used in calculating diluted weighted-average shares	2,174	2,280	2,208	2,278