Reconciliation of Company's Segment Operations Activity (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 27,529	$ 19,780
Property operating expenses	(22,726)	(16,188)
Property operating income, as defined	4,803	3,592
General and administrative	(3,834)	(3,502)
Depreciation and amortization	(12,390)	(8,279)
Interest expense	(4,798)	(3,674)
Interest income	50	53
Income from equity in unconsolidated entities	39
Changes in fair value of financial instruments and gain on OP unit redemption	230	462
Net income	324	433
Net income attributable	324	433
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests in operating partnership	59	71
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests in consolidated joint ventures	(87)	(66)
Net income available to Excel Trust, Inc.	296	438
Office Properties
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	2,050	1,832
Property operating expenses	(845)	(598)
Property operating income, as defined	1,205	1,234
General and administrative	(5)	(67)
Depreciation and amortization	(940)	(794)
Interest expense	(192)	(198)
Net income	68	175
Multi Family
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	1,320
Property operating expenses	(304)
Property operating income, as defined	1,016
General and administrative	(144)
Depreciation and amortization	(1,149)
Net income	(277)
Retail Properties
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	24,159	17,948
Property operating expenses	(5,353)	(3,809)
Property operating income, as defined	18,806	14,139
General and administrative	(3,685)	(3,435)
Depreciation and amortization	(10,301)	(7,485)
Interest expense	(4,606)	(3,476)
Interest income	50	53
Income from equity in unconsolidated entities	39
Changes in fair value of financial instruments and gain on OP unit redemption	230	462
Net income	533	258
Total Reportable Segments
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	27,529	19,780
Property operating expenses	(6,502)	(4,407)
Property operating income, as defined	21,027	15,373
General and administrative	(3,834)	(3,502)
Depreciation and amortization	(12,390)	(8,279)
Interest expense	(4,798)	(3,674)
Interest income	50	53
Income from equity in unconsolidated entities	39
Changes in fair value of financial instruments and gain on OP unit redemption	230	462
Net income	$ 324	$ 433