Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Expected current year pension contributions			$ 307,600
Subsequent Event [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Pension contributions made through Year To Date					$ 390,100
Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Expected current year pension contributions			65,882
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in current year	$ 17,119		17,119
Entergy Arkansas [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Pension contributions made through Year To Date					83,001
Entergy Texas [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Expected current year pension contributions			12,649
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in current year	3,271		3,271
Entergy Texas [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Pension contributions made through Year To Date					$ 15,920
Non-Qualified Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Settlement Charge Associated With Out Of Plan Payment Of Lump Sum Benefits			3,700
Non-Qualified Pension Plans [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Net periodic benefit costs	8,000	$ 4,500	16,500	$ 13,400
Non-Qualified Pension Plans [Member] | Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Net periodic benefit costs	105	113	317	339
Non-Qualified Pension Plans [Member] | Entergy Texas [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Net periodic benefit costs	$ 126	$ 149	$ 380	$ 447