Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net sales
Services	$ 1,626,521	$ 1,552,358	$ 1,493,425
Products	1,365,172	1,283,490	1,330,368
Total sales	2,991,693	2,835,848	2,823,793
Cost of sales
Services	1,215,673	1,138,213	1,100,305
Products	1,039,867	961,706	1,003,923
Total cost of sales	2,255,540	2,099,919	2,104,228
Gross profit	736,153	735,929	719,565
Selling and administrative expense	510,979	501,186	472,956
Research, development and engineering expense	85,881	78,108	74,225
Impairment of assets	15,783	2,962	175,849
Gain on sale of assets, net	(1,202)	(1,921)	(1,663)
Total operating expense	611,441	580,335	721,367
Operating profit (loss)	124,712	155,594	(1,802)
Other income (expense)
Investment income	37,593	41,663	34,545
Interest expense	(30,330)	(34,456)	(37,887)
Foreign exchange gain (loss), net	2,654	3,095	(1,301)
Miscellaneous, net	(17,203)	(1,504)	4,048
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes	117,426	164,392	(2,397)
Taxes on income	29,905	12,815	14,561
Income (loss) from continuing operations	87,521	151,577	(16,958)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax	(3,125)	523	275
Net income (loss)	84,396	152,100	(16,683)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	5,942	7,285	3,569
Net income (loss) attributable to Diebold, Incorporated	78,454	144,815	(20,252)
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	63,061	64,244	65,907
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	63,914	64,792	65,907
Basic earnings per share
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	$ 1.29	$ 2.24	$ (0.31)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ (0.05)	$ 0.01	$ 0.00
Net income (loss) attributable to Diebold, Incorporated	$ 1.24	$ 2.25	$ (0.31)
Diluted earnings per share
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	$ 1.28	$ 2.23	$ (0.31)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ (0.05)	$ 0.01	$ 0.00
Net income (loss) attributable to Diebold, Incorporated	$ 1.23	$ 2.24	$ (0.31)
Amounts attributable to Diebold, Incorporated
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	81,579	144,292	(20,527)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax	(3,125)	523	275
Net income (loss) attributable to Diebold, Incorporated	$ 78,454	$ 144,815	$ (20,252)