Retirement, Other Postretirement Benefits, And Defined Contribution Plans (Schedule Of Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized In The Balance Sheet) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	$ (76,942)	$ (62,513)
Non-current liabilities	(3,036,010)	(3,187,357)
Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	6,848,238	7,230,542
Service cost	143,244	175,046
Interest cost	261,613	302,777
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailments	2,039	0
Special termination benefit	0	76
Actuarial (gain)/loss	209,360	(460,986)
Employee contributions	23	524
Benefits Paid	(321,950)	(399,741)
Balance at end of year	7,142,567	6,848,238	$ 7,230,542
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	4,707,433	4,827,966
Actual return on plan assets	395,596	(117,130)
Employer contributions	390,100	395,814
Employee contributions	23	524
Benefits Paid	(321,950)	(399,741)
Fair value of assets at end of year	5,171,202	4,707,433	4,827,966
Funded status	(1,971,365)	(2,140,805)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(1,971,365)	(2,140,805)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Net loss	2,326,349	2,300,222
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	659	2,784
Net loss	619,276	637,472
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	619,935	640,256
Other Postretirement [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	1,530,829	1,739,557
Service cost	32,291	45,305	43,493
Interest cost	56,331	71,934	71,841
Plan amendments	(20,353)	(48,192)
Actuarial (gain)/loss	46,201	(208,017)
Employee contributions	27,686	29,685
Benefits Paid	(104,477)	(102,618)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	455	3,175
Balance at end of year	1,568,963	1,530,829	1,739,557
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	579,069	597,627
Actual return on plan assets	38,216	(8,303)
Employer contributions	56,166	62,678
Employee contributions	27,686	29,685
Benefits Paid	(104,477)	(102,618)
Fair value of assets at end of year	596,660	579,069	597,627
Funded status	(972,303)	(951,760)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	(45,255)	(41,326)
Non-current liabilities	(927,048)	(910,434)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	54,896	61,833
Net loss	222,540	191,782
Amortization of prior credit	(45,490)	(37,280)	(31,590)
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	167,644	129,949
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	(89,474)	(107,673)
Net loss	172,575	171,742
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	83,101	64,069
Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(424,234)	(459,153)
Entergy Arkansas [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	1,400,511	1,485,718
Service cost	20,724	26,646
Interest cost	52,219	61,885
Actuarial (gain)/loss	62,187	(87,617)
Benefits Paid	(81,331)	(86,121)
Balance at end of year	1,454,310	1,400,511	1,485,718
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	959,618	977,521
Actual return on plan assets	80,306	(24,201)
Employer contributions	82,999	92,419
Benefits Paid	(81,331)	(86,121)
Fair value of assets at end of year	1,041,592	959,618	977,521
Funded status	(412,718)	(440,893)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(412,718)	(440,893)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Net loss	701,774	684,552
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	0	0
Entergy Arkansas [Member] | Other Postretirement [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	258,900	303,716
Service cost	3,913	6,957	5,957
Interest cost	9,297	12,518	12,261
Plan amendments	(1,007)	(18,035)
Actuarial (gain)/loss	2,453	(34,217)
Employee contributions	6,330	6,818
Benefits Paid	(21,178)	(19,476)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	79	619
Balance at end of year	258,787	258,900	303,716
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	243,206	244,191
Actual return on plan assets	16,977	(3,049)
Employer contributions	5,591	14,722
Employee contributions	6,330	6,818
Benefits Paid	(21,178)	(19,476)
Fair value of assets at end of year	250,926	243,206	244,191
Funded status	(7,861)	(15,694)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	0	0
Non-current liabilities	(7,861)	(15,694)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	21,684	26,149
Net loss	76,388	77,313
Amortization of prior credit	(5,472)	(2,441)	(2,441)
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	54,704	51,164
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	0	0
Net loss	0	0
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	0	0
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(780,278)	(833,185)
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	1,564,710	1,666,535
Service cost	28,194	34,396
Interest cost	59,478	69,465
Actuarial (gain)/loss	48,357	(101,361)
Benefits Paid	(76,506)	(104,325)
Balance at end of year	1,624,233	1,564,710	1,666,535
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	1,071,234	1,113,359
Actual return on plan assets	89,998	(27,175)
Employer contributions	84,421	89,375
Benefits Paid	(76,506)	(104,325)
Fair value of assets at end of year	1,169,147	1,071,234	1,113,359
Funded status	(455,086)	(493,476)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(455,086)	(493,476)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Net loss	686,337	687,305
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	51,660	51,733
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Other Postretirement [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	356,253	394,946
Service cost	7,476	9,893	9,414
Interest cost	13,041	16,311	16,642
Plan amendments	(4,647)	(1,361)
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(13,117)	(47,043)
Employee contributions	6,273	6,864
Benefits Paid	(22,893)	(24,182)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	114	825
Balance at end of year	342,500	356,253	394,946
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	0	0
Actual return on plan assets	0	0
Employer contributions	16,620	17,318
Employee contributions	6,273	6,864
Benefits Paid	(22,893)	(24,182)
Fair value of assets at end of year	0	0	0
Funded status	(342,500)	(356,253)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	(19,209)	(18,857)
Non-current liabilities	(323,291)	(337,396)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	0	0
Net loss	0	0
Amortization of prior credit	(7,787)	(7,467)	(5,614)
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	0	0
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	(27,735)	(30,874)
Net loss	54,700	70,743
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	26,965	39,869
Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(109,551)	(120,217)
Entergy Mississippi [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	408,604	432,169
Service cost	6,250	7,929
Interest cost	15,245	18,007
Actuarial (gain)/loss	11,343	(25,492)
Benefits Paid	(22,241)	(24,009)
Balance at end of year	419,201	408,604	432,169
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	292,297	301,250
Actual return on plan assets	24,325	(7,401)
Employer contributions	19,968	22,457
Benefits Paid	(22,241)	(24,009)
Fair value of assets at end of year	314,349	292,297	301,250
Funded status	(104,852)	(116,307)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(104,852)	(116,307)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Net loss	189,409	190,406
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	0	0
Entergy Mississippi [Member] | Other Postretirement [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	77,382	83,162
Service cost	1,543	2,028	1,900
Interest cost	2,835	3,436	3,655
Plan amendments	(6,219)	0
Actuarial (gain)/loss	8,230	(6,407)
Employee contributions	1,721	1,884
Benefits Paid	(7,031)	(6,927)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	24	206
Balance at end of year	78,485	77,382	83,162
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	75,538	80,935
Actual return on plan assets	5,032	(1,015)
Employer contributions	685	661
Employee contributions	1,721	1,884
Benefits Paid	(7,031)	(6,927)
Fair value of assets at end of year	75,945	75,538	80,935
Funded status	(2,540)	(1,844)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	0	0
Non-current liabilities	(2,540)	(1,844)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	8,511	3,225
Net loss	26,416	18,594
Amortization of prior credit	(934)	(916)	(915)
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	17,905	15,369
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	0	0
Net loss	0	0
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	0	0
Entergy New Orleans [Member]
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(36,750)	(43,609)
Entergy New Orleans [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	191,064	202,555
Service cost	2,625	3,395
Interest cost	7,256	8,432
Actuarial (gain)/loss	5,573	(12,289)
Benefits Paid	(9,054)	(11,029)
Balance at end of year	197,464	191,064	202,555
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	129,975	133,344
Actual return on plan assets	10,858	(3,243)
Employer contributions	10,709	10,903
Benefits Paid	(9,054)	(11,029)
Fair value of assets at end of year	142,488	129,975	133,344
Funded status	(54,976)	(61,089)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(54,976)	(61,089)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Net loss	94,944	95,941
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	0	0
Entergy New Orleans [Member] | Other Postretirement [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	51,951	63,779
Service cost	622	818	868
Interest cost	1,791	2,608	2,805
Plan amendments	0	0
Actuarial (gain)/loss	4,774	(12,118)
Employee contributions	1,213	1,259
Benefits Paid	(4,852)	(4,532)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	16	137
Balance at end of year	55,515	51,951	63,779
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	69,881	71,004
Actual return on plan assets	3,674	(1,504)
Employer contributions	4,320	3,654
Employee contributions	1,213	1,259
Benefits Paid	(4,852)	(4,532)
Fair value of assets at end of year	74,236	69,881	71,004
Funded status	18,721	17,930
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	0	0
Non-current liabilities	18,721	17,930
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	2,172	2,917
Net loss	12,029	6,458
Amortization of prior credit	(745)	(709)	(709)
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	9,857	3,541
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	0	0
Net loss	0	0
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	0	0
Entergy Texas [Member]
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(67,313)	(77,517)
Entergy Texas [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	383,627	418,498
Service cost	5,664	6,582
Interest cost	14,228	17,414
Actuarial (gain)/loss	4,274	(36,862)
Benefits Paid	(21,427)	(22,005)
Balance at end of year	386,366	383,627	418,498
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	298,378	310,713
Actual return on plan assets	24,705	(7,487)
Employer contributions	15,920	17,157
Benefits Paid	(21,427)	(22,005)
Fair value of assets at end of year	317,576	298,378	310,713
Funded status	(68,790)	(85,249)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(68,790)	(85,249)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Net loss	153,544	159,085
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	0	0
Entergy Texas [Member] | Other Postretirement [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	114,582	130,145
Service cost	1,590	2,000	2,378
Interest cost	4,154	5,366	5,652
Plan amendments	0	0
Actuarial (gain)/loss	12,389	(17,052)
Employee contributions	1,927	2,092
Benefits Paid	(6,977)	(8,275)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	35	306
Balance at end of year	127,700	114,582	130,145
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	130,374	135,733
Actual return on plan assets	8,586	(1,794)
Employer contributions	3,159	2,618
Employee contributions	1,927	2,092
Benefits Paid	(6,977)	(8,275)
Fair value of assets at end of year	137,069	130,374	135,733
Funded status	9,369	15,792
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	0	0
Non-current liabilities	9,369	15,792
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	8,296	11,018
Net loss	50,036	38,806
Amortization of prior credit	(2,722)	(2,723)	(1,300)
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	41,740	27,788
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	0	0
Net loss	0	0
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	0	0
System Energy [Member]
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(117,850)	(112,264)
System Energy [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	311,542	334,312
Service cost	6,263	7,827
Interest cost	11,966	13,970
Actuarial (gain)/loss	20,661	(23,720)
Benefits Paid	(15,051)	(20,847)
Balance at end of year	335,381	311,542	334,312
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	212,006	217,621
Actual return on plan assets	17,692	(5,550)
Employer contributions	20,497	20,782
Benefits Paid	(15,051)	(20,847)
Fair value of assets at end of year	235,144	212,006	217,621
Funded status	(100,237)	(99,536)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(100,237)	(99,536)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Net loss	169,897	159,508
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Net loss	0	0
System Energy [Member] | Other Postretirement [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	57,645	60,754
Service cost	1,337	1,881	2,058
Interest cost	2,117	2,511	2,611
Plan amendments	0	(644)
Actuarial (gain)/loss	4,806	(3,973)
Employee contributions	1,390	1,530
Benefits Paid	(4,818)	(4,532)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	21	118
Balance at end of year	62,498	57,645	60,754
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	44,917	48,293
Actual return on plan assets	3,066	(634)
Employer contributions	330	260
Employee contributions	1,390	1,530
Benefits Paid	(4,818)	(4,532)
Fair value of assets at end of year	44,885	44,917	48,293
Funded status	(17,613)	(12,728)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	0	0
Non-current liabilities	(17,613)	(12,728)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	5,332	6,902
Net loss	23,405	19,557
Amortization of prior credit	(1,570)	(1,465)	$ (824)
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	18,073	12,655
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	0	0
Net loss	0	0
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	$ 0	$ 0