Earnings Per Share and Per Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 52,602	$ 61,844	$ 94,705	$ 118,699
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(1,203)	(1,624)	(2,168)	(3,117)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(266)	(294)	(523)	(575)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(622)	(621)	(1,243)	(1,243)
Net income available for common stockholders	$ 50,511	$ 59,305	$ 90,771	$ 113,764
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	105,163	104,106	105,049	104,035
Earnings per Common Share - basic:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.48	$ 0.57	$ 0.86	$ 1.09
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 52,602	$ 61,844	$ 94,705	$ 118,699
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(266)	(294)	(523)	(575)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(622)	(621)	(1,243)	(1,243)
Net income available for common stockholders before net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	$ 51,714	$ 60,929	$ 92,939	$ 116,881
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	105,163	104,106	105,049	104,035
Stock options using the treasury method (in shares)	5	20	10	14
Noncontrolling interests Common Units (in shares)	2,486	2,838	2,495	2,838
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Share - adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions (in shares)	107,654	106,964	107,554	106,887
Earnings per Common Share - diluted:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.48	$ 0.57	$ 0.86	$ 1.09
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 52,602	$ 61,844	$ 94,705	$ 118,699
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(266)	(294)	(523)	(575)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(622)	(621)	(1,243)	(1,243)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 51,714	$ 60,929	$ 92,939	$ 116,881
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	107,240	106,535	107,135	106,464
Earnings per Common Unit - basic:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.48	$ 0.57	$ 0.87	$ 1.10
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 52,602	$ 61,844	$ 94,705	$ 118,699
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(266)	(294)	(523)	(575)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(622)	(621)	(1,243)	(1,243)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 51,714	$ 60,929	$ 92,939	$ 116,881
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	107,240	106,535	107,135	106,464
Stock options using the treasury method (in shares)	5	20	10	14
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Unit - adjusted weighted average units and assumed conversions (in shares)	107,245	106,555	107,145	106,478
Earnings per Common Unit - diluted:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.48	$ 0.57	$ 0.87	$ 1.10