Earnings Per Share and Per Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 43,870	$ 52,602	$ 88,824	$ 94,705
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(947)	(1,203)	(1,933)	(2,168)
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(4)	(266)	483	(523)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(621)	(622)	(1,242)	(1,243)
Net income available for common stockholders	$ 42,298	$ 50,511	$ 86,132	$ 90,771
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	105,457	105,163	105,373	105,049
Earnings per Common Share - basic:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.40	$ 0.48	$ 0.82	$ 0.86
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 43,870	$ 52,602	$ 88,824	$ 94,705
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(4)	(266)	483	(523)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(621)	(622)	(1,242)	(1,243)
Net income available for common stockholders before net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	$ 43,245	$ 51,714	$ 88,065	$ 92,939
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	105,457	105,163	105,373	105,049
Stock options using the treasury method (in shares)	0	5	0	10
Noncontrolling interests Common Units (in shares)	2,351	2,486	2,355	2,495
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Share - adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions (in shares)	107,808	107,654	107,728	107,554
Earnings per Common Share - diluted:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.40	$ 0.48	$ 0.82	$ 0.86
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 43,870	$ 52,602	$ 88,824	$ 94,705
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(4)	(266)	483	(523)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(621)	(622)	(1,242)	(1,243)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 43,245	$ 51,714	$ 88,065	$ 92,939
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	107,399	107,240	107,319	107,135
Earnings per Common Unit - basic:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.40	$ 0.48	$ 0.82	$ 0.87
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 43,870	$ 52,602	$ 88,824	$ 94,705
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	(4)	(266)	483	(523)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(621)	(622)	(1,242)	(1,243)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 43,245	$ 51,714	$ 88,065	$ 92,939
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	107,399	107,240	107,319	107,135
Stock options using the treasury method (in shares)	0	5	0	10
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Unit - adjusted weighted average units and assumed conversions (in shares)	107,399	107,245	107,319	107,145
Earnings per Common Unit - diluted:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.40	$ 0.48	$ 0.82	$ 0.87