Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits (Expected Employer Contributions) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Change in Plan Assets
Pension contributions made through Year To Date	$ 3,600,000
Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected 2013 pension contributions	35,382,000
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2013	35,382,000
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected 2013 pension contributions	11,550,000
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2013	11,550,000
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected 2013 pension contributions	21,151,000
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2013	21,151,000
Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected 2013 pension contributions	8,152,000
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2013	8,152,000
Entergy New Orleans
Change in Plan Assets
Expected 2013 pension contributions	4,175,000
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2013	4,175,000
Entergy Texas [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected 2013 pension contributions	6,880,000
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2013	6,880,000
System Energy [Member]
Change in Plan Assets
Expected 2013 pension contributions	8,304,000
Remaining estimated pension contributions to be made in 2013	$ 8,304,000