Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Rental and other revenues	$ 179,904	$ 181,043	$ 183,153	$ 192,800	$ 192,071	$ 187,475	$ 184,070	$ 172,363	$ 736,900	$ 735,979	$ 720,035
Net income	85,287	42,331	38,956	191,340	62,346	29,557	41,394	8,386	357,914	141,683	177,630
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(2,254)	(1,107)	(1,017)	(4,960)	(1,577)	(737)	(1,044)	(193)	(9,338)	(3,551)	(4,588)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(302)	(298)	(289)	(285)	(295)	(297)	(306)	(316)	(1,174)	(1,214)	(1,207)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(622)	(622)	(622)	(622)	(622)	(622)	(622)	(622)	(2,488)	(2,488)	(2,492)
Net income available for common stockholders	$ 82,109	$ 40,304	$ 37,028	$ 185,473	$ 59,852	$ 27,901	$ 39,422	$ 7,255	$ 344,914	$ 134,430	$ 169,343
Earnings per Common Share - basic:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.79	$ 0.39	$ 0.36	$ 1.79	$ 0.58	$ 0.27	$ 0.38	$ 0.07	$ 3.32	$ 1.30	$ 1.64
Earnings per Common Share - diluted:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.79	$ 0.39	$ 0.36	$ 1.79	$ 0.58	$ 0.27	$ 0.38	$ 0.07	$ 3.32	$ 1.30	$ 1.64
Highwoods Properties, Inc. [Member]
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership									$ (9,338)	$ (3,551)
Net income available for common stockholders									344,914	134,430	$ 169,343
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Rental and other revenues	$ 179,904	$ 181,043	$ 183,153	$ 192,800	$ 192,071	$ 187,475	$ 184,070	$ 172,363	736,900	735,979	720,035
Net income	85,287	42,331	38,956	191,340	62,346	29,557	41,394	8,386	357,914	141,683	177,630
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(302)	(298)	(289)	(285)	(295)	(297)	(306)	(316)	(1,174)	(1,214)	(1,207)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(622)	(622)	(622)	(622)	(622)	(622)	(622)	(622)	(2,488)	(2,488)	(2,492)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 84,363	$ 41,411	$ 38,045	$ 190,433	$ 61,429	$ 28,638	$ 40,466	$ 7,448	$ 354,252	$ 137,981	$ 173,931
Earnings per Common Unit - basic:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.79	$ 0.39	$ 0.36	$ 1.79	$ 0.58	$ 0.27	$ 0.38	$ 0.07	$ 3.33	$ 1.30	$ 1.64
Earnings per Common Unit - diluted:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.79	$ 0.39	$ 0.36	$ 1.79	$ 0.58	$ 0.27	$ 0.38	$ 0.07	$ 3.33	$ 1.30	$ 1.64