Earnings From Discontinued Operations (Summary Of Earnings From Discontinued Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Rental income from operating leases									$ 246,569	$ 210,329	$ 207,734
Percentage rent									1,093	919	1,310
Real estate expense reimbursement from tenants									9,927	7,197	8,138
Interest and other income from real estate transactions									2,312	2,982	4,323
Total revenues	74,400	67,643	62,059	61,691	59,516	56,303	56,021	56,049	265,793	227,888	228,827
General and administrative									28,814	22,763	21,774
Real estate									16,887	13,235	13,497
Depreciation and amortization									58,115	48,047	46,258
Total operating expenses									103,409	95,498	118,838
Interest and other income									(1,511)	(1,513)	(1,371)
Interest expense									(74,845)	(65,179)	(62,151)
Total other expenses (revenues)									(73,334)	(63,666)	(60,780)
Earnings (loss) before gain on disposition of real estate and income tax expense									91,093	70,035	49,628
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets									297	641	37
Income tax expense									(779)	(475)	1,049
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to NNN									1,331	2,724	1,832
Loss (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interests									91	356	1,589
Segment, Discontinued Operations [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Rental income from operating leases									3,709	5,394	11,284
Percentage rent									27	40	30
Real estate expense reimbursement from tenants									619	1,647	1,944
Interest and other income from real estate transactions									37	578	471
Total revenues									4,392	7,659	13,729
General and administrative									22	101	123
Real estate									1,146	2,363	3,098
Depreciation and amortization									306	627	2,043
Impairment losses and other charges									431	0	5,630
Total operating expenses									1,905	3,091	10,894
Interest and other income									0	(2)	(6)
Interest expense									(1,382)	(2,655)	(3,790)
Total other expenses (revenues)									(1,382)	(2,653)	(3,784)
Earnings (loss) before gain on disposition of real estate and income tax expense									1,105	1,915	(949)
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets									424	1,434	2,950
Income tax expense									(198)	(625)	(169)
Loss (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interests									(80)	11	(166)
Earnings from discontinued operations attributable to NNN									$ 1,251	$ 2,735	$ 1,666