CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Issued shares of common stock pursuant to conversion premium (in shares)
Issued shares of restricted and unrestricted common stock, pursuant to NNN's performance incentive plan (in shares)	285,573	285,263	386,433
Surrender of restricted stock shares	1,520
Issued shares of common stock, pursuant to NNN's Deferred Director Fee Plan (in shares)