Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Basic earnings per share
EARNINGS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK/ EQUITY	$ 154,139,000	$ 628,054,000	$ 315,583,000	$ 248,663,000	$ 228,291,000	$ 492,886,000	$ 315,266,000	$ 213,799,000	$ 1,346,439,000	$ 1,250,242,000	$ 1,231,092,000
Net Income Attributable to Entergy Corporation, Shares									177,430,208	186,010,452	192,772,032
Net Income Attributable to Entergy Corporation, $/share	$ 0.88	$ 3.55	$ 1.77	$ 1.39	$ 1.27	$ 2.65	$ 1.67	$ 1.13	$ 7.59	$ 6.72	$ 6.39
Average dilutive effect of:
Stock options, Shares									1,000,000	1,800,000	2,200,000
Stock options $/share									$ (0.04)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.07)
Diluted earnings per share, Income									1,346,400,000	1,250,200,000	1,234,300,000
Diluted earnings per share, Shares									178,370,695	187,814,235	195,838,068
Diluted earnings per share $/share	$ 0.88	$ 3.53	$ 1.76	$ 1.38	$ 1.26	$ 2.62	$ 1.65	$ 1.12	$ 7.55	$ 6.66	$ 6.30
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Cash flow hedges net unrealized gain	177,497,000				106,258,000				177,497,000	106,258,000
Pension and other postretirement liabilities	(499,556,000)				(276,466,000)				(499,556,000)	(276,466,000)
Net unrealized investment gains	150,939,000				129,685,000				150,939,000	129,685,000
Foreign currency translation	2,668,000				2,311,000				2,668,000	2,311,000
Total	$ (168,452,000)				$ (38,212,000)				$ (168,452,000)	$ (38,212,000)