Organization and Business (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 30, 1996

Jan. 05, 1996

IPO

Dec. 30, 1996

Class A Units

Dec. 30, 1996

Class B Units

Mar. 31, 2013

Fund VIII-IX Associates

Mar. 31, 2013

Fund VIII-IX Associates

Wells Real Estate Fund VIII, L.P.

Mar. 31, 2012

Fund IX-X-XI-REIT Associates

Mar. 31, 2012

Fund IX-X-XI-REIT Associates

Wells Real Estate Fund X, L.P.

Mar. 31, 2012

Fund IX-X-XI-REIT Associates

Wells Real Estate Fund XI, L.P.

Mar. 31, 2012

Fund IX-X-XI-REIT Associates

Piedmont Operating Partnership, L.P.

Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]

Value of authorized limited partnership units

$ 35,000,000

Value per unit of authorized limited partnership units (in dollars per unit)

10.00

Sold partnership units (in units)

2,935,931

564,069

Proceeds from issuance of limited partners units

$ 35,000,000

Ownership in joint venture (percent)

45.20%

54.80%

39.00%

^[1]

48.50%

^[1]

8.80%

^[1]

3.70%

^[1]

[1]	This joint venture wound up its affairs in 2011 and was terminated in the first quarter of 2012.

- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The number of units sold in a public offering of each class of partners' capital account. Units represent shares of ownership of the general, limited, and preferred partners.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The cash inflow from the issuance of common limited partners units during the period.

+ References+ Details

WELLS REAL ESTATE FUND IX LP 10-Q