Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 229.5	$ 135.1	$ 75.5
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	(45.5)	37.6	(17.6)
Derivative financial instruments, net of tax expense of $3.3 million, tax expense of $3.1 million and tax benefit of $0.0 million, respectively	7.7	5.1	0.0
Minimum pension liabilities net of tax expense of $4.1 million, tax expense of $16.5 million and tax benefit of $4.7 million, respectively	16.3	14.2	(7.4)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(21.5)	56.9	(25.0)
Comprehensive income	208.0	192.0	50.5
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	18.1	33.2	(3.4)
Comprehensive income attributable to Greif, Inc.	$ 189.9	$ 158.8	$ 53.9