Segment Information (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Revenue summary by geographic region
Total net sales	$ 709,322	$ 748,620	$ 1,985,861	$ 2,032,799
Diebold North America [Member]
Revenue summary by geographic region
Total net sales	364,144	349,673	1,008,100	968,508
Diebold International [Member]
Revenue summary by geographic region
Total net sales	345,178	398,947	977,761	1,064,291
Latin America including Brazil [Member]
Revenue summary by geographic region
Total net sales	170,401	248,649	447,495	573,976
Asia Pacific [Member]
Revenue summary by geographic region
Total net sales	101,493	68,391	281,504	257,249
Europe, Middle East and Africa [Member]
Revenue summary by geographic region
Total net sales	$ 73,284	$ 81,907	$ 248,762	$ 233,066

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.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 5

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

Name:	us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration