Earnings From Discontinued Operations (Summary Of Earnings From Discontinued Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Earned income from direct financing leases	$ 628	$ 740
Percentage rent	111	115
Real estate expense reimbursement from tenants	2,832	2,280
Interest and other income from real estate transactions	707	620
Total revenues	78,658	61,529
General and administrative	7,603	6,657
Real estate	4,612	3,652
Depreciation and amortization	18,117	13,428
Total operating expenses	30,332	23,866
Interest expense	19,645	17,662
Total other expenses (revenues)	19,259	17,320
Earnings before gain on disposition of real estate and income tax expense	29,229	20,341
Income tax expense	(97)	19
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to NNN	542	384
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(8)	33
Segment, Discontinued Operations [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Rental income from operating leases	826	831
Earned income from direct financing leases	6	20
Interest and other income from real estate transactions	124	194
Total revenues	956	1,045
General and administrative	4	4
Real estate	244	279
Depreciation and amortization	51	123
Impairment losses and other charges	35	0
Total operating expenses	334	406
Interest expense	357	340
Total other expenses (revenues)	357	340
Earnings before gain on disposition of real estate and income tax expense	265	299
Gain on disposition of real estate	314	132
Income tax expense	(37)	(47)
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(12)	(59)
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to NNN	$ 530	$ 325