Revolving Credit Facilities, Lines Of Credit, Short-Term Borrowings, And Long-Term Debt (Book Value And The Fair Value Of Long-Term Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 16,232,180	$ 15,367,453
Long-term Debt, Book Value	16,515,836	15,075,266
Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	3,031,681	2,865,844
Long-term Debt, Book Value	3,242,282	2,952,399
Long term DOE obligations	186,000	183,000
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	6,757,649	6,389,774
Long-term Debt, Book Value	6,761,123	6,144,071
Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	1,234,124	1,285,741
Long-term Debt, Book Value	1,270,830	1,270,122
Entergy New Orleans [Member]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	499,764	455,968
Long-term Debt, Book Value	491,570	436,870
Entergy Texas [Member]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	1,546,101	1,661,902
Long-term Debt, Book Value	1,527,817	1,587,150
System Energy [Member]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	610,485	529,119
Long-term Debt, Book Value	639,455	551,488
Capital Lease Obligations	$ 34,000	$ 34,000