Equity And Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net (Summary Of Activity For Noncontrolling Interests In The Operating Partnership) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
As of December 31, 2011	4,936,130
Redemption of common units for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock	(274,000)	[1]
Conversion of incentive units held by employees and directors for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock	(186,192)	[1]
Cancellation of incentive units held by employees and directors	(15,950)
Grant of incentive units to employees and directors	166,080
As of September 30, 2012	4,626,068
Common Units [Member]
Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
As of December 31, 2011	3,405,814
Redemption of common units for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock	(274,000)	[1]
As of September 30, 2012	3,131,814
Incentive Units [Member]
Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
As of December 31, 2011	1,530,316
Conversion of incentive units held by employees and directors for shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. common stock	(186,192)	[1]
Cancellation of incentive units held by employees and directors	(15,950)
Grant of incentive units to employees and directors	166,080
As of September 30, 2012	1,494,254

[1] This redemption was recorded as a reduction to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership and an increase to common stock and additional paid in capital based on the book value per unit in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Digital Realty Trust, Inc.