Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]
Operating Revenues	$ 2,489,033	$ 3,395,553	$ 2,803,279	$ 2,541,208	$ 2,533,104	$ 3,332,176	$ 2,862,950	$ 2,759,347	$ 11,229,073		$ 11,487,577		$ 10,745,650
Operating Income	342,696	600,909	558,738	510,891	393,780	770,642	626,241	476,714	2,013,234		2,267,377		2,284,526
Consolidated net income	160,027	633,069	320,598	253,678	233,307	497,901	320,283	218,814	1,367,372	[1]	1,270,305	[1]	1,251,050	[1]
Net income attributable to Entergy Corporation, Income	$ 154,139	$ 628,054	$ 315,583	$ 248,663	$ 228,291	$ 492,886	$ 315,266	$ 213,799	$ 1,346,439		$ 1,250,242		$ 1,231,092
Earnings per average common share:
Basic	$ 0.88	$ 3.55	$ 1.77	$ 1.39	$ 1.27	$ 2.65	$ 1.67	$ 1.13	$ 7.59		$ 6.72		$ 6.39
Diluted	$ 0.88	$ 3.53	$ 1.76	$ 1.38	$ 1.26	$ 2.62	$ 1.65	$ 1.12	$ 7.55		$ 6.66		$ 6.30

[1] Consolidated net income and preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries for 2011, 2010 and 2009 include $13.3 million of preferred dividends on subsidiaries' preferred stock without sinking fund that is not presented as equity.