Earnings From Discontinued Operations (Summary Of Earnings From Discontinued Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Earned income from direct financing leases	$ 534	$ 571	$ 1,630	$ 1,739
Real estate expense reimbursement from tenants	3,113	2,658	9,203	8,024
Interest and other income from real estate transactions	341	512	1,095	1,982
Total revenues	100,621	84,391	289,100	243,073
General and administrative	7,534	8,653	25,209	23,282
Real estate	4,420	3,842	12,580	12,376
Depreciation and amortization	25,856	17,242	72,126	53,574
Total operating expenses	37,826	32,960	111,903	95,208
Interest expense	19,989	23,039	65,210	62,425
Total other expenses (revenues)	19,267	21,845	63,777	60,512
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax benefit (expense) and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	43,528	29,586	113,420	87,818
Gain on disposition of real estate	1,228	1,694	4,402	4,446
Income tax expense	(365)	7,438	(363)	7,167
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to NNN including noncontrolling interests	1,179	(2,803)	2,794	2,231
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(7)	(2)	(223)	(10)
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Rental income from operating leases	791	1,606	1,999	5,796
Earned income from direct financing leases	12	37	38	121
Real estate expense reimbursement from tenants	63	124	231	323
Interest and other income from real estate transactions	1	4	37	38
Total revenues	867	1,771	2,305	6,278
General and administrative	3	2	218	7
Real estate	219	305	479	846
Depreciation and amortization	148	301	297	1,204
Impairment losses and other charges, net of recoveries	(1)	5,440	2,046	5,785
Total operating expenses	369	6,048	3,040	7,842
Interest expense	136	183	444	552
Total other expenses (revenues)	136	183	444	552
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax benefit (expense) and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	362	(4,460)	(1,179)	(2,116)
Gain on disposition of real estate	1,228	1,694	4,402	4,446
Income tax expense	(411)	(37)	(429)	(99)
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(7)	(2)	(223)	(10)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to NNN	$ 1,172	$ (2,805)	$ 2,571	$ 2,221