Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2019 shares
Document and Entity Information
Entity registrant name	EATON VANCE CORP
Entity central index key	0000350797
Trading Symbol	EV
Document type	10-Q
Document period end date	Apr. 30, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment flag	false
Entity current reporting status	Yes
Current fiscal year end date	--10-31
Entity filer category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Voting Common Stock [Member]
Entity common stock shares outstanding	422,935
Non-Voting Common Stock [Member]
Entity common stock shares outstanding	114,068,374