Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Summary of Segment Information
Total sales	$ 662,382	$ 665,180	$ 1,276,539	$ 1,284,179
Intersegment revenue	33,296	36,503	68,188	65,400
Operating profit	25,102	46,855	33,971	87,440
Capital expenditures	12,785	15,813	23,687	26,916
Depreciation	12,587	10,140	24,570	22,807
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	668,940	615,898	668,940	615,898	646,235
Total assets	2,596,598	2,441,917	2,596,598	2,441,917	2,519,790
Diebold North America [Member]
Summary of Segment Information
Total sales	337,992	322,635	643,956	618,835
Intersegment revenue	20,362	21,082	39,988	40,227
Operating profit	24,477	23,542	41,883	32,826
Capital expenditures	5,106	10,748	10,885	17,501
Depreciation	7,362	4,737	14,121	11,253
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	463,850	454,932	463,850	454,932
Total assets	1,028,612	997,007	1,028,612	997,007
Diebold International [Member]
Summary of Segment Information
Total sales	324,390	342,545	632,583	665,344
Intersegment revenue	12,934	15,421	28,200	25,173
Operating profit	625	23,313	(7,912)	54,614
Capital expenditures	7,679	5,065	12,802	9,415
Depreciation	5,225	5,403	10,449	11,554
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	205,090	160,966	205,090	160,966
Total assets	$ 1,567,986	$ 1,444,910	$ 1,567,986	$ 1,444,910

Segment Reporting Information By Segment.

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Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts (CON)
-Number 6
-Paragraph 25

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 18
-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 12
-Article 7

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The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

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Carrying amount at the balance sheet date for long-lived physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. This can include land, physical structures, machinery, vehicles, furniture, computer equipment, construction in progress, and similar items. Amount does not include depreciation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 12
-Paragraph 5

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Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 1
-Article 5

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- Definition

Amount of depreciation expense for the reportable segment. Information should be disclosed if the amount (a) is included in the measure of segment profit or loss reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) is otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in that measure of segment profit or loss

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 131
-Paragraph 27
-Subparagraph e

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Total expenditures for additions to long-lived assets other than financial instruments, long-term customer relationships of a financial institution, mortgage and other servicing rights, deferred policy acquisition costs, and deferred tax assets of the reportable segment. Must be disclosed if the amount (a) is included in the determination of segment assets reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) is otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in the determination of segment assets.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 131
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph b

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Amount of revenue from transactions with other operating segments of the same entity. Must be disclosed if the amount (a) is included in the measure of segment profit or loss reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) is otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in that measure of segment profit or loss

+ References

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-Paragraph 27
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