Statement of Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total USD ($)	Total Outstanding Shares [Member]	Common Stock USD ($)	Additional Paid In Capital [Member] USD ($)	Distributions in Excess of Accumulated Earnings USD ($)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss USD ($)	Treasury Stock USD ($)	Total CPA 17 Global Shareholders USD ($)	Noncontrolling Interest USD ($)
Beginning equity balance, value at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 1,236,509		$ 143	$ 1,280,453	$ (93,446)	$ (14,943)	$ (8,044)	$ 1,164,163	$ 72,346
Beginning equity balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010		142,366,962
Shares issued, net of offering costs- shares		63,628,957
Shares issued, net of offering costs - value	571,655		63	571,592				571,655
Shares issued to affiliates - shares		1,114,867
Shares issued to affiliates - value	11,184		2	11,182				11,184
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	1,197								1,197
Distributions declared	(113,271)				(113,271)			(113,271)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(23,214)								(23,214)
Net income	70,446				49,655			49,655	20,791
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(12,753)					(12,533)		(12,533)	(220)
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments	(5,219)					(5,110)		(5,110)	(109)
Change in unrealized appreciation on marketable securities	(15)					(15)		(15)
Repurchase of shares - shares		(961,968)
Repurchase of shares - value	(9,060)						(9,060)	(9,060)
Ending equity balance, value at Dec. 31, 2011	1,727,459		208	1,863,227	(157,062)	(32,601)	(17,104)	1,656,668	70,791
Ending equity balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011		206,148,818
Shares issued, net of offering costs- shares		59,729,413
Shares issued, net of offering costs - value	533,498		59	533,439				533,498
Shares issued to affiliates - shares		1,536,439
Shares issued to affiliates - value	15,431		2	15,429				15,431
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	173								173
Distributions declared	(115,359)				(115,359)			(115,359)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(17,445)								(17,445)
Net income	56,844				37,684			37,684	19,160
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(2,432)					(2,368)		(2,368)	(64)
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments	(10,119)					(10,378)		(10,378)	259
Change in unrealized appreciation on marketable securities	1,006					1,006		1,006
Repurchase of shares - shares		(1,294,681)
Repurchase of shares - value	(12,197)						(12,197)	(12,197)
Ending equity balance, value at Sep. 30, 2012	$ 2,176,859		$ 269	$ 2,412,095	$ (234,737)	$ (44,341)	$ (29,301)	$ 2,103,985	$ 72,874
Ending equity balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2012		266,119,989