Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule Of Earnings Per Share, Basic And Diluted) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Basic earnings per share
Net income (loss) attributable to Entergy Corporation	$ 296,267,000	$ 337,088,000	$ 365,001,000	$ (151,683,000)	$ 154,139,000	$ 628,054,000	$ 315,583,000	$ 248,663,000	$ 846,673,000	$ 1,346,439,000	$ 1,250,242,000
Net Income Attributable to Entergy Corporation, Shares									177,324,813	177,430,208	186,010,452
Net Income Attributable to Entergy Corporation, $/share	$ 1.67	$ 1.90	$ 2.06	$ (0.86)	$ 0.88	$ 3.55	$ 1.77	$ 1.39	$ 4.77	$ 7.59	$ 6.72
Average dilutive effect of:
Diluted earnings per share, Shares									177,737,565	178,370,695	187,814,235
Diluted earnings per share $/share	$ 1.67	$ 1.89	$ 2.06	$ (0.86)	$ 0.88	$ 3.53	$ 1.76	$ 1.38	$ 4.76	$ 7.55	$ 6.66
Parent Company [Member]
Basic earnings per share
Net income (loss) attributable to Entergy Corporation									846,700,000	1,346,400,000	1,250,200,000
Net Income Attributable to Entergy Corporation, Shares									177,300,000	177,400,000	186,000,000
Net Income Attributable to Entergy Corporation, $/share									$ 4.77	$ 7.59	$ 6.72
Average dilutive effect of:
Stock options, Shares									300,000	1,000,000	1,800,000
Stock options $/share									$ (0.01)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.06)
Equity units, Income									$ 100,000
Diluted earnings per share, Shares									177,700,000	178,400,000	187,800,000
Diluted earnings per share $/share									$ 4.76	$ 7.55	$ 6.66