Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets
Allowances for doubtful accounts	$ 23,434	$ 24,868
Diebold, Incorporated shareholders' equity
Preferred shares, par value
Preferred shares, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred shares, shares issued
Common shares, par value	$ 1.25	$ 1.25
Common shares, shares authorized	125,000,000	125,000,000
Common shares, shares issued	76,832,962	76,365,124
Common shares, shares outstanding	62,750,193	65,717,103
Treasury shares, at cost, shares	14,082,769	10,648,021