Equity (Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018		Sep. 30, 2017
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 3,104,319	$ 3,243,628	$ 8,496,970		$ 8,450,636
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(43,591)	(31,335)	(123,439)		(78,726)
Income taxes (benefits)	283,006	(241,795)	519,937		87,555
Consolidated net income	539,818	401,644	924,877	[1]	901,064	[1]
Competitive Businesses [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	380,080	423,245	1,107,606		1,293,867
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income	(29,090)	4,609	(91,291)		50,525
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	(5,428)	2,235	(13,716)		26,454
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]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(63)	(185)	(278)		(654)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(10,629)	22,571	(38,191)		86,024
Income taxes (benefits)	2,232	(7,900)	8,020		(30,108)
Consolidated net income	(8,397)	14,671	(30,171)		55,916
Parent Company [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Competitive Businesses [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	(10,566)	22,756	(37,913)		86,678
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)	(8,589)	4,382	(21,703)		51,871
Income taxes (benefits)	3,161	(2,147)	7,987		(25,417)
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	5,425	6,565	16,278		19,691
Amortization of loss	(24,740)	(21,480)	(74,503)		(64,605)
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Settlement	(76)	(4,200)	(2,098)		(5,965)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(19,391)	(19,115)	(60,323)		(50,879)
Income taxes (benefits)	4,126	6,818	12,919		19,034
Consolidated net income	(15,265)	(12,297)	(47,404)		(31,845)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	1,206,612	1,290,494	3,308,744		3,254,711
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(25,782)	(11,542)	(56,217)		(29,573)
Income taxes (benefits)	(2,944)	(94,098)	30,430		(193,759)
Consolidated net income	218,308	186,284	514,260		405,141
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	5,802		5,802
Amortization of loss	(1,257)	(1,332)	(3,770)		(3,996)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	677	602	2,032		1,806
Income taxes (benefits)	(177)	(232)	(530)		(756)
Consolidated net income	$ 500	$ 370	$ 1,502		$ 1,050

[1] (a) Consolidated net income and preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries for 2018 and 2017 include $10.3 million and $10.3 million, respectively, of preferred dividends on subsidiaries’ preferred stock without sinking fund that is not presented within equity.