Defined Benefit Plan, Cash Settlements,Benefit Obligation

No definition available.

Name:	gef_DefinedBenefitPlanCashSettlementsBenefitObligation
Namespace Prefix:	gef_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Defined Benefit Plan, Non-participating Annuity Contract, Settlements,Benefit Obligation

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	gef_DefinedBenefitPlanNonparticipatingAnnuityContractSettlementsBenefitObligation
Namespace Prefix:	gef_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Weighted average rate for present value of future retirement benefits cash flows, used to determine benefit obligation of defined benefit plan.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) in benefit obligation of defined benefit plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligationPeriodIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of contribution received by defined benefit plan from employer which increases plan assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)(5)(ii)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82843861&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82843861&loc=d3e2709-114920

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82843861&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)(5)(iv)(01)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82843861&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in net periodic benefit (cost) credit from irrevocable action relieving primary responsibility for benefit obligation and eliminating risk related to obligation and assets used to effect settlement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToSettlements1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of (increase) decrease to benefit obligation of defined benefit plan from irrevocable action relieving primary responsibility for benefit obligation and eliminating risk for obligation and assets used to effect settlement. Includes, but is not limited to, lump-sum cash payment to participant in exchange for right to receive specified benefits, purchase of nonparticipating annuity contract and change from remeasurement.

+ References

+ Details

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

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PostemploymentBenefitsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Post Retirement Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2016	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Nov. 03, 2016
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]
Annuity contract				$ 49.2
Lump sum payments made to participants		$ 3.5		42.4
Decrease in projected benefit obligation				91.6
Pension settlement charge		$ 1.0	$ 0.0	25.6	$ 0.0
Reduction in projected benefit obligation	$ 21.3
Discount rate	4.20%					3.82%
Company's pension contributions				$ 10.7	$ 9.4