Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Diebold, Incorporated shareholders' equity
Balance at beginning of the period	$ 951,308	$ 1,020,237	$ 961,155	$ 1,046,379
Net income attributable to Diebold, Incorporated	41,755	46,105	65,060	99,760
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency hedges and translation	(105,938)	57,591	(57,447)	21,146
Interest rate hedges	(663)	(227)	(1,052)	(1,047)
Pensions and other postretirement benefits	1,610	1,501	3,871	4,199
Unrealized gain (loss), net on available for sale securities	3,841	(1,262)	3,305	(607)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Diebold, Incorporated	(59,395)	103,708	13,737	123,451
Common shares	5	57	585	268
Additional capital	4,117	3,981	15,239	15,089
Treasury shares	(47,261)	(3,658)	(104,852)	(24,786)
Dividends declared	(18,056)	(17,913)	(55,146)	(53,989)
Balance at end of the period	830,718	1,106,412	830,718	1,106,412
Noncontrolling interests
Balance at beginning of the period	31,178	26,581	28,659	25,647
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,027	1,372	3,988	2,329
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation	283	373	886	359
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,310	1,745	4,874	2,688
Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders	(4,823)	(1,217)	(5,868)	(1,226)
Balance at end of the period	$ 27,665	$ 27,109	$ 27,665	$ 27,109