Equity (Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018		Jun. 30, 2017
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Competitive Energy Revenue	$ 308,602	$ 317,255	$ 727,526		$ 870,622
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(48,491)	(32,202)	(79,849)		(47,391)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(31,736)	76,256	148,126		170,070
Income taxes (benefits)	280,596	337,112	236,933		329,350
Consolidated net income	248,860	413,368	385,059	[1]	499,420	[1]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income	(18,346)	19,366	(62,201)		45,915
Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income	(4,868)	22,174	(8,288)		24,219
Parent Company [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Competitive Energy Revenue	2,735	12,695	(27,347)		63,922
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(93)	(219)	(215)		(469)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	2,642	12,476	(27,562)		63,453
Income taxes (benefits)	(555)	(4,368)	5,788		(22,209)
Consolidated net income	2,087	8,108	(21,774)		41,244
Parent Company [Member] | Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Realized gain (loss)	(7,702)	43,479	(13,114)		47,489
Income taxes (benefits)	2,834	(21,305)	4,826		(23,270)
Parent Company [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior-service credit	5,424	6,564	10,850		13,126
Amortization of loss	(24,808)	(21,554)	(49,760)		(43,125)
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Settlement	(406)	(1,765)	(2,022)		(1,765)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(19,790)	(16,755)	(40,932)		(31,764)
Income taxes (benefits)	4,225	5,839	8,793		12,216
Consolidated net income	(15,565)	(10,916)	(32,139)		(19,548)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(22,770)	(8,889)	(30,435)		(18,031)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	129,236	181,215	262,578		318,518
Income taxes (benefits)	55,122	(56,736)	33,374		(99,661)
Consolidated net income	184,358	124,479	295,952		218,857
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior-service credit	1,934	1,934	3,868		3,868
Amortization of loss	(1,256)	(1,332)	(2,513)		(2,664)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	678	602	1,355		1,204
Income taxes (benefits)	(177)	(292)	(353)		(524)
Consolidated net income	$ 501	$ 310	$ 1,002		$ 680

[1] (a) Consolidated net income and preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries for 2018 and 2017 include $6.9 million and $6.9 million, respectively, of preferred dividends on subsidiaries’ preferred stock without sinking fund that is not presented within equity.