Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule Of Earnings Per Share, Basic And Diluted) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Basic earnings per share
Net income (loss) attributable to Entergy Corporation	$ (1,769,068)	$ 388,170	$ 567,314	$ 229,966	$ 99,573	$ (723,027)	$ 148,843	$ 298,050	$ (583,618)	$ (176,562)	$ 940,721
Net Income Attributable to Entergy Corporation, Shares									178,885,660	179,176,356	179,506,151
Basic earnings per share (in usd per share)	$ (9.89)	$ 2.17	$ 3.17	$ 1.29	$ 0.56	$ (4.04)	$ 0.83	$ 1.66	$ (3.26)	$ (0.99)	$ 5.24
Average dilutive effect of:
Stock options, Shares									0	0	300,000
Stock options $/share									$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)
Equity units, Income									$ 0	$ 0	$ 500
Average Dilutive Effect of Other Equity Plans Per Share									$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)
Diluted earnings per share, Shares									178,885,660	179,176,356	180,296,885
Diluted earnings per share (in usd per share)	$ (9.86)	$ 2.16	$ 3.16	$ 1.28	$ 0.56	$ (4.04)	$ 0.83	$ 1.65	$ (3.26)	$ (0.99)	$ 5.22