Earnings Per Share and Per Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Earnings per Common Share/Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 163,958	$ 323,310	$ 357,914
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(3,670)	(8,321)	(9,338)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(1,230)	(1,712)	(1,174)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(2,486)	(2,486)	(2,488)
Net income available for common stockholders	$ 156,572	$ 310,791	$ 344,914
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	105,120	104,232	103,876
Earnings per Common Share - basic:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.49	$ 2.98	$ 3.32
Earnings per Common Share/Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 163,958	$ 323,310	$ 357,914
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(1,230)	(1,712)	(1,174)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(2,486)	(2,486)	(2,488)
Net income available for common stockholders before net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	$ 160,242	$ 319,112	$ 354,252
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	105,120	104,232	103,876
Stock options using the treasury method	5	18	8
Noncontrolling interests Common Units	2,442	2,811	2,830
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Share - adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions (in shares)	107,567	107,061	106,714
Earnings per Common Share - diluted:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.49	$ 2.98	$ 3.32
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Earnings per Common Share/Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 163,958	$ 323,310	$ 357,914
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(1,230)	(1,712)	(1,174)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(2,486)	(2,486)	(2,488)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 160,242	$ 319,112	$ 354,252
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	107,153	106,634	106,297
Earnings per Common Unit - basic:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.50	$ 2.99	$ 3.33
Earnings per Common Share/Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 163,958	$ 323,310	$ 357,914
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(1,230)	(1,712)	(1,174)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(2,486)	(2,486)	(2,488)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 160,242	$ 319,112	$ 354,252
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	107,153	106,634	106,297
Stock options using the treasury method	5	18	8
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Unit - adjusted weighted average units and assumed conversions (in shares)	107,158	106,652	106,305
Earnings per Common Unit - diluted:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.50	$ 2.99	$ 3.33