Cover - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Oct. 30, 2019
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-11290
Entity Registrant Name	NATIONAL RETAIL PROPERTIES, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000751364
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MD
Entity Tax Identification Number	56-1431377
Entity Address, Address Line One	450 South Orange Avenue, Suite 900
Entity Address, City or Town	Orlando
Entity Address, State or Province	FL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	32801
City Area Code	407
Local Phone Number	265-7348
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		171,637,561
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	NNN
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
5.200% Series F Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	5.200% Series F Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	NNN/PF
Security Exchange Name	NYSE