Common Equity (Reclassifications from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ 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
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Acceleration of Prior Service Cost Due to Curtailment, Before Tax									$ (1,045)		$ (374)
Miscellaneous - net									(41,617)		(95,997)		$ (42,016)
Total reclassifications before taxes									(1,381,762)		(799,661)		1,549,854
Investment Income, Net									145,127		187,062		147,686
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									(817,259)		(642,927)		589,597
Consolidated net income (loss)	$ (1,765,539)	$ 393,204	$ 572,590	$ 235,242	$ 104,849	$ (718,233)	$ 153,722	$ 302,929	(564,503)	[1]	(156,734)	[1]	960,257	[1]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income (loss)									171,850		(166,771)
Cash flow hedges net unrealized gain (loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications before taxes									291,873		(245,526)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									102,156		(85,934)
Consolidated net income (loss)									189,717		(159,592)
Pension and other postretirement liabilities [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications before taxes									(34,331)		(48,151)
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)									29,414		23,920
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment									(1,045)		(374)
Amortization of net loss									(60,693)		(70,296)
Settlement loss									(2,007)		(1,401)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									(10,176)		(16,020)
Consolidated net income (loss)									(24,155)		(32,131)
Net unrealized investment gains [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Investment Income, Net									12,329		48,926
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									6,041		23,974
Consolidated net income (loss)									6,288		24,952
Power Contract [Member] | Cash flow hedges net unrealized gain (loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenues									293,268		(243,555)
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Cash flow hedges net unrealized gain (loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Miscellaneous - net									(1,395)		(1,971)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Miscellaneous - net									(11,597)		(13,190)		850
Total reclassifications before taxes									711,781		625,310		631,074
Investment Income, Net									154,778		150,168		134,885
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									89,734		178,671		185,052
Consolidated net income (loss)	$ 67,610	$ 189,506	$ 253,325	$ 111,606	$ 24,409	$ 187,140	$ 108,981	$ 126,109	622,047		446,639		$ 446,022
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Pension and other postretirement liabilities [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)									7,786		7,464
Total reclassifications before taxes									1,505		(2,690)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)									(6,281)		(10,140)
Settlement loss									0		(14)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									549		(1,059)
Consolidated net income (loss)									$ 956		$ (1,631)

[1] (a) Consolidated net income and preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries include $19.1 million for 2016, $14.9 million for 2015, and $12.9 million for 2014 of preferred dividends on subsidiaries’ preferred stock without sinking fund that is not presented as equity.