Earnings Per Share and Per Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 40,110	$ 75,587	$ 134,815	$ 194,286
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(881)	(1,967)	(3,049)	(5,084)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(357)	(894)	(880)	(1,469)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(621)	(621)	(1,864)	(1,864)
Net income available for common stockholders	$ 38,251	$ 72,105	$ 129,022	$ 185,869
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	105,184	104,277	105,094	104,117
Earnings per Common Share - basic:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.36	$ 0.69	$ 1.23	$ 1.79
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 40,110	$ 75,587	$ 134,815	$ 194,286
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(357)	(894)	(880)	(1,469)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(621)	(621)	(1,864)	(1,864)
Net income available for common stockholders before net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	$ 39,132	$ 74,072	$ 132,071	$ 190,953
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	105,184	104,277	105,094	104,117
Stock options using the treasury method (in shares)	0	25	7	17
Noncontrolling interests Common Units (in shares)	2,417	2,837	2,469	2,838
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Share - adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions (in shares)	107,601	107,139	107,570	106,972
Earnings per Common Share - diluted:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.36	$ 0.69	$ 1.23	$ 1.79
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 40,110	$ 75,587	$ 134,815	$ 194,286
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(357)	(894)	(880)	(1,469)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(621)	(621)	(1,864)	(1,864)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 39,132	$ 74,072	$ 132,071	$ 190,953
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	107,192	106,705	107,154	106,546
Earnings per Common Unit - basic:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.37	$ 0.69	$ 1.23	$ 1.79
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 40,110	$ 75,587	$ 134,815	$ 194,286
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(357)	(894)	(880)	(1,469)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(621)	(621)	(1,864)	(1,864)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 39,132	$ 74,072	$ 132,071	$ 190,953
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	107,192	106,705	107,154	106,546
Stock options using the treasury method (in shares)	0	25	7	17
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Unit - adjusted weighted average units and assumed conversions (in shares)	107,192	106,730	107,161	106,563
Earnings per Common Unit - diluted:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.37	$ 0.69	$ 1.23	$ 1.79