Equity (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 28, 2016	Oct. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	May 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Stock Options Excluded From Diluted Common Shares Outstanding Calculation					3,500,000	7,400,000	4,600,000	7,400,000
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash							$ 455,993	$ 447,268
Shares, Issued			738,579		738,579		738,579
Common stock dividend (in dollars per share)					$ 0.85	$ 0.83	$ 2.55	$ 2.49
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Equity [Abstract]
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash							$ 215,000	$ 100,000
Entergy Arkansas [Member] | Preferred Stock Cumulative One Hundred Dollar Par Value Six Point Zero Eight Percent Series [Member]
Equity [Abstract]
Redemption of Preferred Equity			$ 10,000
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage			6.08%
Entergy Arkansas [Member] | Preferred Stock Cumulative Twenty Five Dollar Par Value Six Point Four Five Percent Series [Member]
Equity [Abstract]
Redemption of Preferred Equity			$ 75,000
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage			6.45%
Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Equity [Abstract]
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash							24,000	36,250
System Energy [Member]
Equity [Abstract]
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash				$ 40,000			$ 139,000	$ 130,750
Subsequent Event [Member]
Equity [Abstract]
Common stock dividend (in dollars per share)	$ 0.87
Subsequent Event [Member] | Entergy Mississippi [Member] | Preferred Stock Cumulative Twenty Five Dollar Par Value Six Point Two Five Percent Series [Member]
Equity [Abstract]
Redemption of Preferred Equity		$ 30,000
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage		6.25%