Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
Revenues:
Rental income from operating leases	$ 87,661		$ 72,335
Earned income from direct financing leases	566		628
Percentage rent	371		111
Real estate expense reimbursement from tenants	2,977		2,849
Interest and other income from real estate transactions	384		707
Interest income on commercial mortgage residual interests	606		755
Total revenues	92,565		77,385
Retail operations:
Revenues	0		11,224
Operating expenses	0		(11,062)
Net	0		162
Operating expenses:
General and administrative	8,264		7,604
Real estate	3,954		4,576
Depreciation and amortization	23,755		17,765
Impairment losses	1,812		35
Total operating expenses	37,785		29,980
Earnings from operations	54,780		47,567
Other expenses (revenues):
Interest and other income	(334)		(358)
Interest expense	21,827		19,818
Total other expenses (revenues)	21,493		19,460
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax benefit (expense) and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	33,287		28,107
Income tax benefit (expense)	780		(115)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	0		150
Earnings from continuing operations	34,067		28,142
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax expense	(164)		1,682
Earnings including noncontrolling interests	33,903		29,824
Loss (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Continuing operations	219		14
Discontinued operations	(56)		(6)
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest	163		8
Net earnings attributable to NNN	34,066		29,832
Excess of redemption value over carrying value of Series C preferred shares redeemed	0		(3,098)
Net earnings attributable to common stockholders	29,304		24,755
Basic:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.26		$ 0.22
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00		$ 0.01
Net earnings (in dollars per share)	$ 0.26		$ 0.23
Diluted:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.25		$ 0.22
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00		$ 0.01
Net earnings (in dollars per share)	$ 0.25		$ 0.23
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	113,491,101		104,840,867
Diluted (in shares)	115,850,253		106,211,366
Other comprehensive income:
Net earnings attributable to NNN	34,066		29,832
Amortization of interest rate hedges	60		56
Fair value forward starting swaps	(1,144)		0
Unrealized gain - commercial mortgage residual interests	869		0
Stock value adjustments	81		(1)
Reclassification of noncontrolling interests	949		0
Comprehensive income attributable to NNN	34,881		29,887
Series C Depositary Share [Member]
Loss (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Series C preferred stock dividends and Series D preferred stock dividends	0	[1]	(1,979)	[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)	[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 has no maturity date and will remain outstanding unless redeemed.