Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Common Shares [Member]	Additional Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Shares [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Total Diebold Incorporated Shareholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 1,072,026	$ 95,116	$ 290,689	$ 1,011,448	$ (410,153)	$ 59,279	$ 1,046,379	$ 25,647
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2009		76,093,101
Net income (loss) attributable to Diebold, Incorporated	(20,252)			(20,252)			(20,252)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	3,569							3,569
Net income (loss)	(16,683)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Portion Attributable to Parent						14,347	14,347
Other Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest								669
Other comprehensive income (loss)	15,016
Stock options exercised (shares)		123,091
Stock options exercised	3,332	154	3,178				3,332
Restricted shares (shares)		5,828
Restricted shares	2,189	7	2,182				2,189
Restricted stock units issued (shares)		88,366
Restricted stock units issued	0	110	(110)				0
Performance shares issued (shares)		54,738
Performance shares issued	1,993	69	1,924				1,993
Income tax benefit (detriment) from share-based compensation	(1,705)		(1,705)				(1,705)
Share-based compensation expense	12,541		12,541				12,541
Dividends declared and paid	(71,900)			(71,900)			(71,900)
Treasury shares	(25,769)				(25,769)		(25,769)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders, net	(1,226)						0	(1,226)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	989,814	95,456	308,699	919,296	(435,922)	73,626	961,155	28,659
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2010		76,365,124
Net income (loss) attributable to Diebold, Incorporated	144,815			144,815			144,815
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	7,285							7,285
Net income (loss)	152,100
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Portion Attributable to Parent						(113,969)	(113,969)
Other Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest								1,198
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(112,771)
Stock options exercised (shares)		150,769
Stock options exercised	4,043	189	3,854				4,043
Restricted shares (shares)		9,878
Restricted shares	0	12	(12)				0
Restricted stock units issued (shares)		121,462
Restricted stock units issued	0	152	(152)				0
Performance shares issued (shares)		186,523
Performance shares issued	0	233	(233)				0
Deferred shares (shares)		7,200
Deferred shares	0	9	(9)				0
Income tax benefit (detriment) from share-based compensation	1,362		1,362				1,362
Share-based compensation expense	14,296		14,296				14,296
Dividends declared and paid	(72,901)			(72,901)			(72,901)
Treasury shares	(111,815)				(111,815)		(111,815)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders, net	(5,868)						0	(5,868)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	858,260	96,051	327,805	991,210	(547,737)	(40,343)	826,986	31,274
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		76,840,956
Net income (loss) attributable to Diebold, Incorporated	78,454			78,454			78,454
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	5,942							5,942
Net income (loss)	84,396
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Portion Attributable to Parent						(50,696)	(50,696)
Other Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest								224
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(50,472)
Stock options exercised (shares)		554,718
Stock options exercised	16,679	693	15,986				16,679
Restricted shares (shares)		5,828
Restricted shares	0	7	(7)				0
Restricted stock units issued (shares)		164,552
Restricted stock units issued	0	206	(206)				0
Performance shares issued (shares)		87,864
Performance shares issued	0	110	(110)				0
Deferred shares (shares)		7,200
Deferred shares	0	9	(9)				0
Income tax benefit (detriment) from share-based compensation	982		982				982
Share-based compensation expense	13,840		13,840				13,840
Dividends declared and paid	(72,830)			(72,830)			(72,830)
Treasury shares	(3,452)				(3,452)		(3,452)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders, net	(2,092)						0	(2,092)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 845,311	$ 97,076	$ 358,281	$ 996,834	$ (551,189)	$ (91,039)	$ 809,963	$ 35,348
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2012		77,661,118