Rate And Regulatory Matters (Correction Of Regulatory Asset For Income Taxes, Income Statement And Statement Of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Consolidated Statements Of Income [Abstract]
Income taxes (benefit)	$ 30,855	$ 286,263	$ 617,239
Net income	868,363	1,367,372	1,270,305
Earnings applicable to common equity	846,673	1,346,439	1,250,242
Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Deferred income taxes, investment tax credits, and non-current taxes accrued	(26,479)	(280,029)	718,987
Changes in other regulatory assets	(398,428)	(673,244)	339,408
Other operating activities	(21,710)	(415,685)	(103,793)
As Previously Reported [Member]
Consolidated Statements Of Income [Abstract]
Income taxes (benefit)		88,313	75,878
Net income		203,027	190,738
Earnings applicable to common equity		202,202	189,911
Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Deferred income taxes, investment tax credits, and non-current taxes accrued		(6,268)	87,920
Changes in other regulatory assets		(80,027)	114,528
Other operating activities		(35,248)	30,717
As Corrected [Member]
Consolidated Statements Of Income [Abstract]
Income taxes (benefit)		89,736	92,297
Net income		201,604	174,319
Earnings applicable to common equity		200,779	173,492
Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Deferred income taxes, investment tax credits, and non-current taxes accrued		(4,845)	104,339
Changes in other regulatory assets		(77,713)	141,216
Other operating activities		(37,562)	4,029
Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Consolidated Statements Of Income [Abstract]
Income taxes (benefit)	94,806	132,765	112,944
Net income	152,365	164,891	172,618
Earnings applicable to common equity	145,492	158,018	165,745
Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Deferred income taxes, investment tax credits, and non-current taxes accrued	(67,482)	94,410	100,071
Changes in other regulatory assets	(88,119)	(215,841)	(87,087)
Other operating activities	(57,035)	(52,459)	(10,072)
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member]
Consolidated Statements Of Income [Abstract]
Income taxes (benefit)	52,616	89,736	92,297
Net income	158,977	201,604	174,319
Earnings applicable to common equity	158,152	200,779	173,492
Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Deferred income taxes, investment tax credits, and non-current taxes accrued	92,523	(4,845)	104,339
Changes in other regulatory assets	(73,082)	(77,713)	141,216
Other operating activities	(21,232)	(37,562)	4,029
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member] | As Previously Reported [Member]
Consolidated Statements Of Income [Abstract]
Net income		203,027	190,738
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member] | As Corrected [Member]
Consolidated Statements Of Income [Abstract]
Net income		201,604	174,319
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Consolidated Statements Of Income [Abstract]
Income taxes (benefit)	(128,922)	(370,211)	66,546
Net income	281,081	473,923	231,435
Earnings applicable to common equity	274,131	466,973	224,485
Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Deferred income taxes, investment tax credits, and non-current taxes accrued	(59,069)	(327,046)	28,896
Changes in other regulatory assets	(116,249)	(95,909)	150,952
Other operating activities	30,610	(221,406)	(116,797)
Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Consolidated Statements Of Income [Abstract]
Income taxes (benefit)	58,679	28,801	50,111
Net income	46,768	108,729	85,377
Earnings applicable to common equity	43,940	105,901	82,549
Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Deferred income taxes, investment tax credits, and non-current taxes accrued	58,221	(3,443)	48,744
Changes in other regulatory assets	(6,501)	(83,399)	(5,780)
Other operating activities	5,336	(21,733)	(6,895)
Entergy New Orleans [Member]
Consolidated Statements Of Income [Abstract]
Income taxes (benefit)	7,240	15,862	16,601
Net income	17,065	35,976	31,114
Earnings applicable to common equity	16,100	35,011	30,149
Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Deferred income taxes, investment tax credits, and non-current taxes accrued	15,016	(35,276)	(47,611)
Changes in other regulatory assets	(23,188)	(42,667)	(10,073)
Other operating activities	16,120	5,474	29,043
Entergy Texas [Member]
Consolidated Statements Of Income [Abstract]
Income taxes (benefit)	33,118	49,492	42,383
Net income	41,971	80,845	66,200
Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Deferred income taxes, investment tax credits, and non-current taxes accrued	123,167	56,219	63,418
Changes in other regulatory assets	62,166	(15,611)	51,637
Other operating activities	10,096	(16,105)	(510)
System Energy [Member]
Consolidated Statements Of Income [Abstract]
Income taxes (benefit)	77,115	74,953	56,049
Net income	111,866	64,197	82,624
Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Deferred income taxes, investment tax credits, and non-current taxes accrued	43,651	14,923	(1,536)
Changes in other regulatory assets	(44,004)	10,874	(4,948)
Other operating activities	$ 20,828	$ (68,714)	$ (47,539)