Common Equity (Reclassifications from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Acceleration of Prior Service Cost Due to Curtailment, Before Tax											$ (1,045)
Miscellaneous - net									$ (12,701)		(41,617)		$ (95,997)
Total reclassifications before taxes									967,923		(1,381,762)		(799,661)
Investment Income, Net									288,197		145,127		187,062
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									542,570		(817,259)		(642,927)
Consolidated net income (loss)	$ (475,710)	$ 401,644	$ 413,368	$ 86,051	$ (1,765,539)	$ 393,204	$ 572,590	$ 235,242	425,353	[1]	(564,503)	[1]	(156,734)	[1]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income (loss)									83,484		171,850
Cash flow hedges net unrealized gain (loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications before taxes									107,803		291,873
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									37,731		102,156
Consolidated net income (loss)									70,072		189,717
Pension and other postretirement liabilities [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications before taxes									(67,295)		(34,331)
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)									26,251		29,414
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment									0		(1,045)
Amortization of net loss									(86,002)		(60,693)
Settlement loss									(7,544)		(2,007)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									(24,919)		(10,176)
Consolidated net income (loss)									(42,376)		(24,155)
Net unrealized investment gains [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Investment Income, Net									109,388		12,329
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									53,600		6,041
Consolidated net income (loss)									55,788		6,288
Power Contract [Member] | Cash flow hedges net unrealized gain (loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenues									108,606		293,268
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Cash flow hedges net unrealized gain (loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Miscellaneous - net									(803)		(1,395)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Miscellaneous - net									(11,960)		(11,597)		(13,190)
Total reclassifications before taxes									801,645		711,781		625,310
Investment Income, Net									164,550		154,778		150,168
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									485,298		89,734		178,671
Consolidated net income (loss)	$ (88,794)	$ 186,284	$ 124,479	$ 94,378	$ 67,610	$ 189,506	$ 253,325	$ 111,606	316,347		622,047		$ 446,639
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Pension and other postretirement liabilities [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)									7,734		7,786
Total reclassifications before taxes									2,407		1,505
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)									(5,327)		(6,281)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									987		549
Consolidated net income (loss)									$ 1,420		$ 956

[1] (a) Consolidated net income and preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries include $13.7 million for 2017, $19.1 million for 2016, and $14.9 million for 2015 of preferred dividends on subsidiaries’ preferred stock without sinking fund that is not presented as equity.