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 ($)	Total CPA 17 Global Stockholders USD ($)	Noncontrolling Interest USD ($)
Beginning 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
Beginning equity balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011		206,148,818
Shares issued, net of offering costs, shares		100,529,436
Shares issued, net of offering costs, value	903,229		100	903,129				903,229
Shares issued to affiliates, shares		2,043,451
Shares issued to affiliates, value	20,501		2	20,499				20,501
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	762							0	762
Distributions declared	(161,773)				(161,773)			(161,773)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(24,427)								(24,427)
Net income	68,153				41,611			41,611	26,542
Other Comprehensive(Loss) Income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	13,515					13,323		13,323	192
Change in unrealized loss on derivative instruments	(16,758)					(17,123)		(17,123)	365
Change in unrealized appreciation on marketable securities	1,035					1,035		1,035
Repurchase of shares, shares		(1,818,685)
Repurchase of shares, value	(17,189)						(17,189)	(17,189)
Ending equity balance, value at Dec. 31, 2012	2,514,507		310	2,786,855	(277,224)	(35,366)	(34,293)	2,440,282	74,225
Ending equity balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012		306,903,020
Shares issued, net of offering costs, shares		2,434,838
Shares issued, net of offering costs, value	22,749		3	22,746				22,749
Shares issued to affiliates, shares		464,824
Shares issued to affiliates, value	4,648			4,648				4,648
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	0							0	0
Distributions declared	(50,208)				(50,208)			(50,208)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(6,642)							0	(6,642)
Net income	22,108				14,822			14,822	7,286
Other Comprehensive(Loss) Income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(25,476)					(25,118)		(25,118)	(358)
Change in unrealized loss on derivative instruments	10,319					10,199		10,199	120
Change in unrealized appreciation on marketable securities	24					24		24
Repurchase of shares, shares		(551,080)
Repurchase of shares, value	(5,214)						(5,214)	(5,214)
Ending equity balance, value at Mar. 31, 2013	$ 2,486,815		$ 313	$ 2,814,249	$ (312,610)	$ (50,261)	$ (39,507)	$ 2,412,184	$ 74,631
Ending equity balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2013		309,251,602