Business Combinations (DFT Merger Pro Forma Financial Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands, shares in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Merger related costs	$ 43,000
Revenue associated with properties acquired	177,800
Net income associated with properties acquired	5,400
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 53,786	$ 103,639
Income per share/unit, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.25	$ 0.51
DFT Merger
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 51,717	$ 99,653
Income per share/unit, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.25	$ 0.51
Merger related costs	$ 43,000
Adjustment to diluted earnings per share (in shares)	43.2
DFT Merger | Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 2,860,454	$ 2,670,914