XML 13 R1.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.10.0.1
Document and Entity Information - shares
 9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2018
Aug. 24, 2018
Document Information [Line Items]    
Document Type 10-Q  
Amendment Flag false  
Document Period End Date Jul. 31, 2018  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2018  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3  
Trading Symbol GEF  
Entity Registrant Name GREIF INC  
Entity Central Index Key 0000043920  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --10-31  
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer  
Class A Common Stock    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   25,941,279
Class B Common Stock    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   22,007,725