Name:	aei21_DistributionsPerUnitOfReturnOfCapital
Namespace Prefix:	aei21_
Data Type:	dtr:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

Name:	aei21_PartnersCapitalDetailsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	aei21_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount of equity impact of cash distribution declared to unit-holder of limited partnership (LP).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 4.F)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480008/505-10-S99-5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S45
-Paragraph 8
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480100/505-10-S45-8

Name:	us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerCashDistributionsDeclared
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Per unit of ownership amount of cash distributions declared to unit-holder of a limited partnership (LP).

Name:	us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerDistributionsDeclaredPerUnit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Distributions from earnings to the general partner of a partnership included in the consolidated financial statements.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_GeneralPartnerDistributions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Total change in each class of partners' capital accounts during the year due to redemptions and adjustments to redemption value. All partners include general, limited and preferred partners.

Name:	us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountRedemptions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The number of units redeemed during the year of each class of partners' capital account. Units represent shares of ownership of the general, limited, and preferred partners.

Name:	us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsRedeemed
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Weighted average number of limited partnership units outstanding determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that limited partnership units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.