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	306,903,020
Shares issued, net of offering costs, shares		5,014,576
Shares issued, net of offering costs, value	47,171		5	47,166				47,171
Shares issued to affiliates, shares		994,610
Shares issued to affiliates, value	9,945		1	9,944				9,945
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	0							0	0
Distributions declared	(100,898)				(100,898)			(100,898)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(13,853)							0	(13,853)
Net income	42,846				27,627			27,627	15,219
Other Comprehensive(Loss) Income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(16,863)					(16,628)		(16,628)	(235)
Change in unrealized loss on derivative instruments	13,412					13,158		13,158	254
Change in unrealized appreciation on marketable securities	47					47		47
Repurchase of shares, shares		(979,026)
Repurchase of shares, value	(9,283)						(9,283)	(9,283)
Ending equity balance, value at Jun. 30, 2013	$ 2,487,031		$ 316	$ 2,843,965	$ (350,495)	$ (38,789)	$ (43,576)	$ 2,411,421	$ 75,610
Ending equity balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2013	311,933,180	311,933,180