<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-10-21</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001007456</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ELECTRONIC DATA SYSTEMS CORP /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>EDS</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001262610</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MCDONALD SCOT H</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>5400 LEGACY DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PLANO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>75024</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>1</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther><officerTitle>Controller &amp; CAO</officerTitle></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></securityTitle><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>18</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeHolding><nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></securityTitle><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>348.0446</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>By Hewitt Associates, LLC</value><footnoteId id="F2"/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeHolding></nonDerivativeTable><derivativeTable><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock (right to buy) 02/06/02</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>60.45</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F3"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F3"/></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>100</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock (right to buy) 02/10/03</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>16.205</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F4"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F4"/></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>20000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock (right to buy) 02/10/03</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>16.205</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F5"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F5"/></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>4050</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">These shares were acquired under the Issuer's Employee Stock Purchase Plan.</footnote><footnote id="F2">Shares held in trust under the Issuer's 401(k) Plan as of October 21, 2003.  Hewitt Associates LLC accounts for holdings in the stock fund in units, comprised of stock and cash reserves.  The shares reported represent an approximate value based upon the fund balance and market value of EDS Common Stock.</footnote><footnote id="F3">Under the Issuer's 2002 EDS Global Share Plan options granted on 02/06/02 were fully vested on 02/06/03, and option holders have two years thereafter to exercise.  Continued employment is required, unless leave due to death, retirement, or permanent disability then 2 years thereafter to exercise, or if leave due to any other reason then only 90 days thereafter to exercise.</footnote><footnote id="F4">Under the Issuer's Amended and Restated Incentive Plan (&quot;SIP&quot;) these options vest 100% on 2/9/07 unless (i) 2/10/04 50% vest if closing of EDS stock is 130% of FMV on 2/10/03; and/or (ii) 2/10/05 100% vest if closing 150% of FMV of EDS stock on 2/10/03, and remain exercisable for a five year period commencing on the date of exercise eligibility. </footnote><footnote id="F5">Under the SIP these options vest 100% on 2/10/04, and remain exercisable for a five year period commencing on the date of exercise eligibility. </footnote></footnotes><remarks/><ownerSignature><signatureName>Linda Epstein as Attorney-in-Fact for Scot H. McDonald</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-10-29</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

