Capital And Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Schedule Of Distributions) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 09, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units		$ 15,093
Preferred stock dividend per share amount		$ 1.750
Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units		15,093	[1]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount		$ 1.750
Series F Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units		9,069
Preferred stock dividend per share amount		$ 1.656
Series F Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units		9,069	[2]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount		$ 1.656
Series G Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units		7,017	[3]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount	$ 1.46875	$ 1.469
Series G Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units		7,017	[3]
Preferred stock dividend per share amount	$ 1.46875	$ 1.469
Common Stock [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units		300,514	[4]
Common stock dividend per share amount		$ 3.120
Common Stock [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units		307,519	[4]
Common stock dividend per share amount		$ 3.120
Installment 1 FY2013 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Date dividend/distribution declared		Feb. 12, 2013
Dividend/Distribution payable date		Mar. 29, 2013
Installment 1 FY2013 [Member] | Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units		5,031	[1]
Installment 1 FY2013 [Member] | Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units		5,031	[1]
Installment 1 FY2013 [Member] | Series F Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units		3,023	[2]
Installment 1 FY2013 [Member] | Series F Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units		3,023	[2]
Installment 1 FY2013 [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units		100,165	[4]
Installment 1 FY2013 [Member] | Common Stock [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units		102,506	[4]
Installment 2 FY2013 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Date dividend/distribution declared		May 01, 2013
Dividend/Distribution payable date		Jun. 28, 2013
Installment 2 FY2013 [Member] | Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units		5,031
Installment 2 FY2013 [Member] | Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units		5,031	[1]
Installment 2 FY2013 [Member] | Series F Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units		3,023
Installment 2 FY2013 [Member] | Series F Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units		3,023	[2]
Installment 2 FY2013 [Member] | Series G Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units		3,345	[3],[5]
Installment 2 FY2013 [Member] | Series G Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units		3,345	[3],[5]
Installment 2 FY2013 [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units		100,169	[4]
Installment 2 FY2013 [Member] | Common Stock [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units		102,507	[4]
Installment 3 FY2013 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Date dividend/distribution declared		Jul. 23, 2013
Dividend/Distribution payable date		Sep. 30, 2013
Installment 3 FY2013 [Member] | Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units		5,031
Installment 3 FY2013 [Member] | Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units		5,031	[1]
Installment 3 FY2013 [Member] | Series F Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units		3,023
Installment 3 FY2013 [Member] | Series F Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units		3,023	[2]
Installment 3 FY2013 [Member] | Series G Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units		3,672	[3]
Installment 3 FY2013 [Member] | Series G Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units [Member] [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units		3,672	[3]
Installment 3 FY2013 [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, common stock/units		100,180	[4]
Installment 3 FY2013 [Member] | Common Stock [Member] | Digital Realty Trust, L.P. [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends/Distributions, preferred stock/units		$ 102,506	[4]

[1] $1.750 annual rate of dividend per share.

[2] $1.656 annual rate of dividend per share.

[3] $1.469 annual rate of dividend per share.

[4] $3.120 annual rate of dividend per share.

[5] Represents a pro rata dividend from and including the original issue date to and including June 30, 2013.