Debt Of The Operating Partnership (Summary Of Outstanding Indebtedness Of The Operating Partnership - Exchangeable Senior Debentures) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Exchangeable Senior Debentures [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Exchangeable Senior Debentures [Member] Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Exchangeable Senior Debentures [Member] Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Exchangeable Senior Debentures [Member] 5.50% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2029 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Exchangeable Senior Debentures [Member] 5.50% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2029 [Member] Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Exchangeable Senior Debentures [Member] 5.50% Exchangeable Senior Debentures Due 2029 [Member] Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Debt of the Operating Partnership [Line Items]
Interest Rate					4.125%			5.50%	5.50%
Maturity Date					Aug. 15, 2026				Apr. 15, 2029	[1]
Exchangeable senior debentures net of discount	$ 266,400	$ 266,400	$ 266,400	$ 266,400		$ 266,400	$ 266,400		$ 266,400		$ 266,400
Purchase price/Redemption price percentage of debenture principal			100

[1] The holders of the debentures have the right to require the Operating Partnership to repurchase the debentures in cash in whole or in part for a price of 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest on each of April 15, 2014, April 15, 2019 and April 15, 2024. We have the right to redeem the debentures in cash for a price of 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest commencing on April 18, 2014.