Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Current assets Assets, Current [Abstract] LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Current liabilities Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Equity Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Total liabilities and equity Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Total equity Beginning Balance Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling interests Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total Diebold, Incorporated shareholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Total Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Beginning Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated other comprehensive income Treasury Stock, Value Treasury shares, at cost, 10,617,134 and 9,765,474 shares, respectively Less treasury shares, at cost (10,142,318 and 9,765,474 shares, respectively) Treasury Stock, Value, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Value, Beginning Balance Less treasury shares, at cost (10,142,318 and 9,765,474 shares, respectively) Treasury shares, at cost (XXX and 9,765,474 shares, respectively) Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Total Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Common Stock, Value, Issued Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common shares, 125,000,000 authorized shares, 76,307,156 and 76,093,101 issued shares, 65,690,022 and 66,327,627 outstanding shares, respectively Preferred shares, no par value, 1,000,000 authorized shares, none issued Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Total Preferred shares, $XX & $0 par value, XXXX & 1,000,000 authorized shares,XXXX & 0 issued for the year 2010 & 2009, respectively Diebold, Incorporated shareholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Commitments and contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Other long-term liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent, Total Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Postretirement and other benefits Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plan, Liabilities, Noncurrent Pensions and other benefits Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Liabilities, Noncurrent Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Other current liabilities Other Liabilities, Current Deferred revenue Deferred Revenue, Current, Total Deferred Revenue, Current Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current, Total Accounts Payable, Current Notes payable Notes Payable, Current, Total Notes Payable, Current Total assets Assets Other assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent, Total Deferred income taxes Goodwill Goodwill, Beginning Balance Goodwill, Ending Balance Goodwill Property, plant and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Less accumulated depreciation and amortization Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Beginning Balance Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Ending Balance Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Beginning Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total Property, plant and equipment, at cost Securities and other investments Long-term Investments, Total Long-term Investments Total current assets Assets, Current Other current assets Other Assets, Current Refundable income taxes Income Taxes Receivable, Current Prepaid expenses Prepaid Expense, Current, Total Prepaid Expense, Current Inventories Inventory, Net, Total Inventory, Net Receivables, Net, Current Receivables, Net, Current, Total Trade receivables, less allowances for doubtful accounts of $24,975 and $26,648, respectively Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Cash and cash equivalents Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract] Net sales Sales Revenue, Net [Abstract] Cost of sales Cost of Goods and Services Sold [Abstract] Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract] Basic earnings per share Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract] Diluted earnings per share Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net income attributable to Diebold, Incorporated Net income (loss) attributable to Diebold, Incorporated Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Loss from discontinued operations Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax Loss from discontinued operations Income from continuing operations, net of tax Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent, Total Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share Income (loss) from discontinued operations Net income from continuing operations Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share Earnings Per Share, Basic Net income (loss) attributable to Diebold, Incorporated Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic Share Income (loss) from discontinued operations Net income from continuing operations Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Outstanding Share, Total Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted, Total Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Basic weighted-average shares outstanding Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic, Total Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income Contribution from noncontrolling interest holders Net income (loss) Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation During Phase-out Period, Net of Tax Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax Income from continuing operations Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Income from continuing operations before taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest, Total Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest Interest Expense Interest expense Interest Expense, Total Interest expense Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Other income (expense) Operating profit Operating Income (Loss), Total Operating Income (Loss) Total operating expense Operating Expenses Research and Development Expense Research, development and engineering expense Research, development and engineering expense Selling and administrative expense Selling, General and Administrative Expense, Total Selling, General and Administrative Expense Gross profit Gross Profit, Total Gross Profit Total cost of sales Cost of Goods and Services Sold Services Cost of Services Services Products Cost of Goods Sold, Total Cost of Goods Sold Total net sales Sales Revenue, Net Services Sales Revenue, Services, Net Products Sales Revenue, Goods, Net, Total Sales Revenue, Goods, Net Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Earnings Per Share, Diluted Net income (loss) attributable to Diebold, Incorporated Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Cash flow from operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Cash (used in) provided by changes in certain assets and liabilities: Cash flow from investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Cash flow from financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Total Decrease in cash and cash equivalents Net cash used in financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Total Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities Net cash provided by operating activities Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net Certain other assets and liabilities Certain other assets and liabilities Deferred revenue Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Revenue Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable, Total Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Other current assets Other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense Prepaid expenses Prepaid expenses Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories, Total Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Receivables Trade receivables Increase (Decrease) in Receivables, Total Trade receivables Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Operating Activities Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation Share-based compensation Share-based Compensation, Total Share-based Compensation Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction, Total Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Earnings Per Share [Abstract] EARNINGS PER SHARE Earnings Per Share [Text Block] INCOME TAXES Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] INVENTORIES Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Inventories [Abstract] DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CHARGES Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities [Abstract] Fair Value Of Assets And Liabilities. Segment Information [Abstract] Discontinued Operations [Abstract] Discontinued Operations Allowances for doubtful accounts Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Beginning Balance Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Ending Balance Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Preferred shares, shares authorized Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Common shares, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common shares, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common shares, shares outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Distribution of affiliates' earnings to noncontrolling interest holders Proceeds from (Payments to) Noncontrolling Interests Proceeds from (Payments to) Noncontrolling Interests, Total Treasury Stock, Shares Treasury Stock, Shares, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Shares, Beginning Balance Treasury shares, at cost Preferred shares, shares issued Preferred Stock, Shares Issued, Total Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Total Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Beginning Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Ending Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Additional capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Beginning Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Preferred Stock, No Par Value Preferred shares, par value Taxes on income Taxes on income Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Miscellaneous income (expense), net Miscellaneous, net Miscellaneous, net Amounts attributable to Diebold, Incorporated Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired, Total Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Payments to Acquire Investments, Total Payments for purchases of investments Payments to Acquire Investments Increase in certain other assets Payments to Acquire Other Productive Assets Dividends paid Payments of Dividends, Common Stock Issuance of common shares Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Repurchase of common shares Repurchase of common shares Repurchase of shares for share-based compensation withholding taxes Share-Based Compensation [Abstract] Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION Income Taxes [Abstract] BENEFIT PLANS Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Benefit Plans [Abstract] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract] Restructuring and Other Charges [Abstract] Investments [Abstract] Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax Foreign exchange loss, net Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax, Total Foreign exhange gain (loss), net Increase in certain other assets Increase in certain other assets Payments for purchases of investments Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired Increase in certain other assets Dividends paid Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents, Total Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents INVESTMENTS Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block] Debt Disclosure [Text Block] DEBT GUARANTEES AND PRODUCT WARRANTIES Product Warranty Disclosure [Text Block] FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] SEGMENT INFORMATION Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block] Short-term investments Available-for-sale Securities, Current, Total Available-for-sale Securities, Current Investment income Investment Income, Nonoperating, Total Investment Income, Nonoperating Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Capital expenditures Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information. Withholding taxes paid for employees' share-based compensation Withholding taxes paid for employees' share-based compensation. Withholding taxes paid for employees' share-based compensation Withholding taxes paid for employees? share-based compensation Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract] Comprehensive Income Note [Text Block] OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Other Assets [Abstract] Other Assets. Devaluation Of Consolidated Entity Balance Sheet Devaluation of Venezuelan balance sheet Devaluation Of Consolidated Entity Balance Sheet. Debt [Abstract] Debt. Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Total Long-term debt Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Consolidated Financial Statements [Abstract] Guarantees and Product Warranties [Abstract] Proceeds from Other Debt Debt borrowings Repayments of Other Debt Debt repayments Debt repayments Proceeds from Maturities, Prepayments and Calls of Available-for-sale Securities Proceeds from maturities of investements Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities, Total Proceeds from sale of investments Income Loss From Equity Method Investments Equity in earnings of an investee Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments, Total Investor's share of equity in earnings of an investee Discontinued Operation Gain Loss On Disposal Of Discontinued Operation Net Of Tax Loss on sale of discontinued operations Loss on sale of discontinued operations Loss on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax Gain Loss On Sale Of Other Assets Gain on sale of assets, net Gain on sale of assets, net Proceeds From Sale Of Property Plant And Equipment Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Proceeds from sale of fixed assets Payments To Acquire Finance Receivables Purchases of finance receivables Asset Impairment Charges Impairment of assets Impairment of assets Schedule of Other Assets, Noncurrent [Text Block] OTHER ASSETS Increase Decrease In Income Taxes Receivable Refundable income taxes Cash Flow Noncash Investing And Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Significant noncash items: Noncash Or Part Noncash Acquisition Other Assets Acquired Finance receivables acquired Noncash Or Part Noncash Acquisition Debt Assumed Liabilities assumed related to acquisition of finance receivables