Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2013
Basis Of Presentation Disclosure [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	1. Basis of Presentation In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements of Eaton Vance Corp. (“the Company”) include all adjustments necessary to present fairly the results for the interim periods in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. As a result, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included in the Company's latest annual report on Form 10-K. During the second quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company combined the following line items previously reported within non-operating income (expense) into gains and other investment income, net; interest and other income; net gains (losses) on investments and derivatives; and net foreign currency gains (losses). Also during the second quarter of fiscal 2012, interest income and net gains (losses) on bank loans, other investments, and note obligations of the consolidated collateralized loan obligation entity (“CLO”) were combined into gains and other investment income, net, of the consolidated CLO entity. These reclassifications, which simplify the financial statement presentation, had no impact on previously reported net income or financial position and do not represent a restatement of any previously reported financial results. See Note 14 for the components of gains and other investment income, net.

Basis of Presentation

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2013

Basis Of Presentation Disclosure [Abstract]

1. Basis of Presentation

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements of Eaton Vance Corp. (“the Company”) include all adjustments necessary to present fairly the results for the interim periods in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. As a result, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included in the Company's latest annual report on Form 10-K.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company combined the following line items previously reported within non-operating income (expense) into gains and other investment income, net; interest and other income; net gains (losses) on investments and derivatives; and net foreign currency gains (losses). Also during the second quarter of fiscal 2012, interest income and net gains (losses) on bank loans, other investments, and note obligations of the consolidated collateralized loan obligation entity (“CLO”) were combined into gains and other investment income, net, of the consolidated CLO entity. These reclassifications, which simplify the financial statement presentation, had no impact on previously reported net income or financial position and do not represent a restatement of any previously reported financial results. See Note 14 for the components of gains and other investment income, net.