Equity (Schedule Of Earnings Per Share, Basic And Diluted) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Basic earnings per share
Net income (loss) attributable to Entergy Corporation, Income	$ 337,088,000	$ 628,054,000	$ 550,405,000	$ 1,192,300,000
Net Income Attributable to Entergy Corporation, Shares	177,517,846	176,950,469	177,184,464	177,857,667
Net Income Attributable to Entergy Corporation, $/share	$ 1.90	$ 3.55	$ 3.11	$ 6.70
Average dilutive effect of:
Stock options, Shares	400,000	700,000	300,000	900,000
Stock options $/share	$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.03)
Restricted stock, Shares	100,000		100,000
Diluted earnings per share, Income	$ 337,100,000	$ 628,100,000	$ 550,400,000	$ 1,192,300,000
Diluted earnings per share, Shares	177,975,075	177,723,020	177,636,549	178,805,215
Diluted earnings per share $/share	$ 1.89	$ 3.53	$ 3.10	$ 6.67