Document and Entity Information - USD ($)
 12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2016
Apr. 30, 2016
Document and Entity Information    
Entity registrant name Eaton Vance Corp.  
Entity central index key 0000350797  
Trading Symbol EV  
Document type 10-K  
Document period end date Oct. 31, 2016  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2016  
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY  
Amendment flag false  
Entity current reporting status Yes  
Entity voluntary filers No  
Current fiscal year end date --10-31  
Entity filer category Large Accelerated Filer  
Entity well known seasoned issuer Yes  
Entity common stock shares outstanding 113,987,940  
Entity public float   $ 3,768,192,384