Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Income used in basic and diluted earnings per share:
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	$ 41,755	$ 44,062	$ 64,542	$ 99,370
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax		2,043	518	390
Net income attributable to Diebold, Incorporated	$ 41,755	$ 46,105	$ 65,060	$ 99,760
Denominator (in thousands):
Weighted-average number of common shares used in basic earnings per share	63,626	65,705	64,797	65,982
Effect of dilutive shares	560	716	507	587
Weighted-average number of shares used in diluted earnings per share	64,186	66,421	65,304	66,569
Basic earnings per share
Net Income from continuing operations	$ 0.66	$ 0.67	$ 0.99	$ 1.50
Income from discontinued operations		$ 0.03	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Net income attributable to Diebold, Incorporated	$ 0.66	$ 0.70	$ 1.00	$ 1.51
Diluted earnings per share
Net Income from continuing operations	$ 0.65	$ 0.66	$ 0.99	$ 1.49
Income from discontinued operations		$ 0.03	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Net income attributable to Diebold, Incorporated	$ 0.65	$ 0.69	$ 1.00	$ 1.50
Anti-dilutive shares (in thousands):
Anti-dilutive shares not used in calculating diluted weighted-average shares	2,280	2,160	2,278	2,047