Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Rental and other revenues	$ 768,007	$ 736,900	$ 735,979
Operating expenses:
Rental property and other expenses	236,436	231,825	248,511
Depreciation and amortization	259,255	241,585	254,504
Impairments of real estate assets	0	1,778	5,849
General and administrative	40,553	41,031	44,067
Total operating expenses	536,244	516,219	552,931
Interest expense	85,853	80,962	81,648
Other income/(loss)	1,394	(1,707)	(2,510)
Gains on disposition of property	174,059	215,897	39,517
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	1,947	4,005	3,276
Net income	323,310	357,914	141,683
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(8,321)	(9,338)	(3,551)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(1,712)	(1,174)	(1,214)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(2,486)	(2,488)	(2,488)
Net income available for common stockholders	$ 310,791	$ 344,914	$ 134,430
Earnings per Common Share - basic:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 2.98	$ 3.32	$ 1.30
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	104,232	103,876	103,692
Earnings per Common Share - diluted:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 2.98	$ 3.32	$ 1.30
Weighted average Common Shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	107,061	106,714	106,445
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Rental and other revenues	$ 768,007	$ 736,900	$ 735,979
Operating expenses:
Rental property and other expenses	236,436	231,825	248,511
Depreciation and amortization	259,255	241,585	254,504
Impairments of real estate assets	0	1,778	5,849
General and administrative	40,553	41,031	44,067
Total operating expenses	536,244	516,219	552,931
Interest expense	85,853	80,962	81,648
Other income/(loss)	1,394	(1,707)	(2,510)
Gains on disposition of property	174,059	215,897	39,517
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	1,947	4,005	3,276
Net income	323,310	357,914	141,683
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(1,712)	(1,174)	(1,214)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(2,486)	(2,488)	(2,488)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 319,112	$ 354,252	$ 137,981
Earnings per Common Unit - basic:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 2.99	$ 3.33	$ 1.30
Weighted average Common Units outstanding - basic (in shares)	106,634	106,297	106,014
Earnings per Common Unit - diluted:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 2.99	$ 3.33	$ 1.30
Weighted average Common Units outstanding - diluted (in shares)	106,652	106,305	106,036