Earnings Per Share and Per Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 64,770	$ 43,870	$ 91,983	$ 88,824
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(1,281)	(947)	(1,814)	(1,933)
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	2	(4)	7	483
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(621)	(621)	(1,242)	(1,242)
Net income available for common stockholders	$ 62,870	$ 42,298	$ 88,934	$ 86,132
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	105,996	105,457	105,900	105,373
Earnings per Common Share - basic:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.59	$ 0.40	$ 0.84	$ 0.82
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 64,770	$ 43,870	$ 91,983	$ 88,824
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	2	(4)	7	483
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(621)	(621)	(1,242)	(1,242)
Net income available for common stockholders before net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	$ 64,151	$ 43,245	$ 90,748	$ 88,065
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	105,996	105,457	105,900	105,373
Noncontrolling interests Common Units (in shares)	2,151	2,351	2,153	2,355
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Share - adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions (in shares)	108,147	107,808	108,053	107,728
Earnings per Common Share - diluted:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.59	$ 0.40	$ 0.84	$ 0.82
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 64,770	$ 43,870	$ 91,983	$ 88,824
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	2	(4)	7	483
Distributions on Preferred Units	(621)	(621)	(1,242)	(1,242)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 64,151	$ 43,245	$ 90,748	$ 88,065
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	107,738	107,399	107,644	107,319
Earnings per Common Unit - basic:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.60	$ 0.40	$ 0.84	$ 0.82
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 64,770	$ 43,870	$ 91,983	$ 88,824
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	2	(4)	7	483
Distributions on Preferred Units	(621)	(621)	(1,242)	(1,242)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 64,151	$ 43,245	$ 90,748	$ 88,065
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	107,738	107,399	107,644	107,319
Earnings per Common Unit - diluted:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.60	$ 0.40	$ 0.84	$ 0.82