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 (equity)	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 income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	13,515					13,323		13,323	192
Change in unrealized gain (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		7,628,290
Shares issued, net of offering costs, value	71,921		8	71,913				71,921
Shares issued to affiliates, shares		1,541,735
Shares issued to affiliates, value	15,482		2	15,480				15,482
Contributions from noncontrolling interests (equity)	2							0	2
Distributions declared	(152,028)				(152,028)			(152,028)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(20,155)							0	(20,155)
Net income	54,387				32,653			32,653	21,734
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	15,614					15,441		15,441	173
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments	3,190					2,794		2,794	396
Change in unrealized appreciation on marketable securities	71					71		71
Repurchase of shares, shares		(1,424,356)
Repurchase of shares, value	(13,488)						(13,488)	(13,488)
Ending equity balance, value at Sep. 30, 2013	$ 2,489,503		$ 320	$ 2,874,248	$ (396,599)	$ (17,060)	$ (47,781)	$ 2,413,128	$ 76,375
Ending equity balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2013	314,648,689	314,648,689