Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Rental and other revenues	$ 183,153	$ 184,070	$ 375,953	$ 356,433
Operating expenses:
Rental property and other expenses	55,119	60,558	117,321	121,109
Depreciation and amortization	59,461	59,460	120,611	128,664
Impairments of real estate assets	1,778	531	1,778	531
General and administrative	10,084	9,560	21,014	21,941
Total operating expenses	126,442	130,109	260,724	272,245
Interest expense	19,840	20,356	41,117	39,095
Other income/(loss)	588	321	657	(3,445)
Gains on disposition of property	318	6,703	153,385	6,703
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	1,179	765	2,142	1,429
Net income	38,956	41,394	230,296	49,780
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(1,017)	(1,044)	(5,977)	(1,237)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(289)	(306)	(574)	(622)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(622)	(622)	(1,244)	(1,244)
Net income available for common stockholders	$ 37,028	$ 39,422	$ 222,501	$ 46,677
Earnings per Common Share – basic:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.36	$ 0.38	$ 2.14	$ 0.45
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	103,886	103,693	103,849	103,647
Earnings per Common Share - diluted:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.36	$ 0.38	$ 2.14	$ 0.45
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	106,730	106,445	106,681	106,402
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Rental and other revenues	$ 183,153	$ 184,070	$ 375,953	$ 356,433
Operating expenses:
Rental property and other expenses	55,119	60,558	117,321	121,109
Depreciation and amortization	59,461	59,460	120,611	128,664
Impairments of real estate assets	1,778	531	1,778	531
General and administrative	10,084	9,560	21,014	21,941
Total operating expenses	126,442	130,109	260,724	272,245
Interest expense	19,840	20,356	41,117	39,095
Other income/(loss)	588	321	657	(3,445)
Gains on disposition of property	318	6,703	153,385	6,703
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	1,179	765	2,142	1,429
Net income	38,956	41,394	230,296	49,780
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(289)	(306)	(574)	(622)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(622)	(622)	(1,244)	(1,244)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 38,045	$ 40,466	$ 228,478	$ 47,914
Earnings per Common Unit - basic:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.36	$ 0.38	$ 2.15	$ 0.45
Weighted average Common Units outstanding - basic (in shares)	106,319	106,017	106,259	105,973
Earnings per Common Unit - diluted:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.36	$ 0.38	$ 2.15	$ 0.45
Weighted average Common Units outstanding - diluted (in shares)	106,321	106,036	106,272	105,993