Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011
Revenues:
Rental income from operating leases	$ 80,411	$ 62,158	$ 230,415		$ 175,463
Earned income from direct financing leases	608	639	1,854		2,072
Percentage rent	242	229	574		476
Real estate expense reimbursement from tenants	2,647	2,437	7,967		6,859
Interest and other income from real estate transactions	512	381	1,982		1,534
Interest income on commercial mortgage residual interests	593	782	2,064		2,325
Total revenues	85,013	66,626	244,856		188,729
Retail operations:
Revenues	0	12,402	19,008		33,702
Operating expenses	0	(11,563)	(18,543)		(32,175)
Net	0	839	465		1,527
Operating expenses:
General and administrative	8,652	7,036	23,278		20,261
Real estate	3,878	4,434	12,437		11,983
Depreciation and amortization	17,465	14,777	54,253		41,707
Impairment - commercial mortgage residual interests valuation	0	0	2,718		396
Impairment losses and other charges	7,261	0	7,296		0
Total operating expenses	37,256	26,247	99,982		74,347
Earnings from operations	47,757	41,218	145,339		115,909
Other expenses (revenues):
Interest and other income	(1,194)	(457)	(1,913)		(1,083)
Interest expense	22,866	20,086	61,905		55,260
Total other expenses (revenues)	21,672	19,629	59,992		54,177
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax benefit (expense) and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	26,085	21,589	85,347		61,732
Income tax benefit (expense)	7,426	(68)	7,190		(258)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	3,769	109	4,074		321
Earnings from continuing operations	37,280	21,630	96,611		61,795
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income tax expense (Note 9)	710	978	4,679		2,936
Earnings including noncontrolling interests	37,990	22,608	101,290		64,731
Loss (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Continuing operations	32	20	87		113
Discontinued operations	(7)	4	(24)		(89)
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest	25	24	63		24
Net earnings attributable to NNN	38,015	22,632	101,353		64,755
Excess of redemption value over carrying value of preferred shares redeemed	0	0	(3,098)		0
Net earnings attributable to common stockholders	33,253	20,936	85,588		59,666
Basic:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.30	$ 0.23	$ 0.76		$ 0.67
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.04		$ 0.03
Net earnings (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.24	$ 0.80		$ 0.70
Diluted:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.29	$ 0.23	$ 0.75		$ 0.66
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.04		$ 0.03
Net earnings (in dollars per share)	$ 0.30	$ 0.24	$ 0.79		$ 0.69
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	107,487,935	87,109,406	106,140,002		84,896,946
Diluted (in shares)	110,339,705	87,788,250	108,091,909		85,438,870
Other comprehensive income
Net earnings attributable to NNN	38,015	22,632	101,353		64,755
Amortization of interest rate hedges	57	38	171		(47)
Fair value treasury locks	0	0	0		(5,218)
Unrealized gains - commerical mortgage residual interests	0	0	213		599
Stock value adjustments	(1)	(8)	(2)		(34)
Comprehensive income attributable to NNN	38,071	22,662	101,735		60,055
Series C Depositary Share [Member]
Loss (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Series C preferred stock dividends and Series D preferred stock dividends	0	(1,696)	(1,979)	[1]	(5,089)	[1]
Series D Depositary Share [Member]
Loss (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Series C preferred stock dividends and Series D preferred stock dividends	$ (4,762)	$ 0	$ (10,688)	[2]	$ 0	[2]

[1] The Series C preferred stock was redeemed in March 2012. The dividends paid during the quarter ended March 31, 2012 include accumulated and unpaid dividends through the redemption date.

[2] The Series D preferred stock dividends paid during the quarter ended June 30, 2012 include accumulated and unpaid dividends from the issuance date through the declaration date. The Series D preferred stock has no maturity date and will remain outstanding unless redeemed.