Consolidated And Combined Statements Of Operations And Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	4 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010 The Company [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 The Company [Member]	Apr. 27, 2010 The Predecessor [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 The Predecessor [Member]
Revenues:
Rental revenue	$ 12,034	$ 44,265	$ 1,455	$ 4,731
Tenant recoveries	2,134	10,300	113	259
Other income	143	662
Total revenues	14,311	55,227	1,568	4,990
Expenses:
Maintenance and repairs	707	3,792	98	245
Real estate taxes	1,685	6,373	140	399
Management fees	104	576	43	134
Other operating expenses	850	3,106	98	451
Changes in fair value of earn-outs		(434)
General and administrative	7,095	12,773	8	45
Depreciation and amortization	6,277	23,290	542	2,045
Total expenses	16,718	49,476	929	3,319
Net operating income (loss)	(2,407)	5,751	639	1,671
Interest expense	(3,692)	(13,181)	(483)	(1,359)
Interest income	166	297		6
Gain on acquisition of real estate and sale of land parcel	978	1,479
Changes in fair value of financial instruments		1,154
(Loss) income from continuing operations	(4,955)	(4,500)	156	318
Income from discontinued operations before gain on sale of real estate assets	1,082	1,023
Gain on sale of real estate assets		3,976
Income from discontinued operations	1,082	4,999
Net income (loss)	(3,873)	499	156	318
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests	148	(51)	(290)	(75)
Net income (loss) attributable to Excel Trust, Inc. and the Predecessor	(3,725)	448	(134)	243
Preferred stock dividends.		3,228
Net (loss) income attributable to the common stockholders and the Predecessor	(3,725)	(2,780)	(134)	243
Loss from continuing operations per share attributable to the common stockholders - basic and diluted	$ (0.31)	$ (0.36)
Net loss per share attributable to the common stockholders - basic and diluted	$ (0.24)	$ (0.15)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	15,510	22,465
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.20	$ 0.605
Net income (loss)	(3,873)	499	156	318
Other comprehensive income:
Change in unrealized gain on investment in equity securities		92
Change in unrealized loss on interest rate swaps	(388)	(576)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(4,261)	15	156	318
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests	163	(5)	(290)	(75)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Excel Trust, Inc. and controlling interests of the Predecessor.	$ (4,098)	$ 10	$ (134)	$ 243