Partners' Capital (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Partners' Capital (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Other Members Capital Account [Line Items]
Limited Partners' capital account, units issued	12,478,676	12,478,676
Limited Partners' capital account, units outstanding	12,478,676	12,478,676
Limited Partners' capital account, units authorized	12,500,000	12,500,000
Partnership right to repurchase Units of a Unitholder	100.00%
Percentage of cash distributions from operations as incentive management fee	4.00%
Initial Limited Partners [Member]
Other Members Capital Account [Line Items]
Limited Partners' capital account, units issued	50
Limited Partner [Member]
Other Members Capital Account [Line Items]
Allocation of net income, net losses, and tax credits	99.00%
Percentage of cash distributions from operations	95
Percentage of cash distributions from sales or refinancing as annual return on invested capital	10.00%
General Partner [Member]
Other Members Capital Account [Line Items]
Allocation of net income, net losses, and tax credits	1.00%
Percentage of cash distributions from operations	1
Affiliated Entity [Member]
Other Members Capital Account [Line Items]
Percentage of cash distributions from operations as incentive management fee	4.00%
First [Member] \| Limited Partner [Member]
Other Members Capital Account [Line Items]
Percentage of cash distributions from sales or refinancing	99.00%
First [Member] \| General Partner [Member]
Other Members Capital Account [Line Items]
Percentage of cash distributions from sales or refinancing	1.00%
Thereafter [Member] \| Limited Partner [Member]
Other Members Capital Account [Line Items]
Percentage of cash distribution from sales or refinancing as incentive management fee	95.00%
Thereafter [Member] \| General Partner [Member]
Other Members Capital Account [Line Items]
Percentage of cash distribution from sales or refinancing as incentive management fee	1.00%
Thereafter [Member] \| Affiliated Entity [Member]
Other Members Capital Account [Line Items]
Percentage of cash distribution from sales or refinancing as incentive management fee	4.00%

ATEL CASH DISTRIBUTION FUND VI LP 10-K