Retirement, Other Postretirement Benefits, And Defined Contribution Plans (Schedule Of Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized In The Balance Sheet) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	$ (67,419)	$ (95,900)
Non-current liabilities	(2,320,704)	(3,725,886)
Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	6,096,639	5,187,635
Service cost	172,280	150,763
Interest cost	263,296	260,929
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailments	15,011	0
Special termination benefit	13,139	0
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(571,990)	693,017
Employee contributions	598	789
Benefits paid	(217,974)	(196,494)
Balance at end of year	5,770,999	6,096,639
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	3,832,860	3,399,916
Actual return on plan assets	650,386	458,137
Employer contributions	163,367	170,512
Fair value of assets at end of year	4,429,237	3,832,860
Funded status	(1,341,762)	(2,263,779)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(1,341,762)	(2,263,779)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	(5,027)	(308)
Net loss	1,494,117	2,352,234
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	1,499,144	2,352,542
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	1,292	9,444
Net loss	383,920	633,146
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	385,212	642,590
Other Postretirement [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	1,846,922	1,652,369
Service cost	74,654	68,883	59,340
Interest cost	79,453	82,561	74,522
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailments	(12,729)	0	0
Curtailment	14,718	0
Plan amendments	(116,571)	0
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(370,004)	102,833
Employee contributions	19,141	18,102
Benefits paid	(89,713)	(83,825)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	3,310	5,999
Balance at end of year	1,461,910	1,846,922	1,652,369
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	488,448	427,172
Actual return on plan assets	76,314	44,752
Employer contributions	75,660	82,247
Fair value of assets at end of year	569,850	488,448	427,172
Funded status	(892,060)	(1,358,474)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	(40,602)	(33,813)
Non-current liabilities	(851,458)	(1,324,661)
Total funded status	(892,060)	(1,358,474)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	93,332	5,307
Net loss	165,270	367,519
Amortization of prior cost/(credit)	(14,904)	(18,163)	(14,070)
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	71,938	362,212
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	(60,988)	(49,335)
Net loss	107,996	355,900
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	47,008	306,565
Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Change in APBO
Medicare Part D subsidy received	737
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(319,211)	(614,805)
Total funded status		(4,323)
Entergy Arkansas [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	1,274,886	1,116,572
Service cost	25,229	22,169
Interest cost	54,473	55,686
Curtailment	4,938
Special termination benefit	1,784
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(110,943)	134,691
Benefits paid	(57,727)	(54,232)
Balance at end of year	1,192,640	1,274,886
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	785,527	707,275
Actual return on plan assets	133,113	95,321
Employer contributions	35,382	37,163
Fair value of assets at end of year	896,295	785,527
Funded status	(296,345)	(489,359)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(296,345)	(489,359)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	0	(23)
Net loss	457,485	683,790
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	457,485	683,813
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost		0
Net loss	0	0
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	0	0
Entergy Arkansas [Member] | Other Postretirement [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	315,308	290,613
Service cost	9,619	9,089	8,053
Interest cost	13,545	14,452	13,742
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailments	(4,517)
Curtailment	4,595
Plan amendments	(11,617)
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(67,253)	13,256
Employee contributions	4,564	4,440
Benefits paid	(18,764)	(17,873)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	737	1,331
Balance at end of year	250,734	315,308	290,613
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	194,018	164,846
Actual return on plan assets	30,830	18,219
Employer contributions	21,015	24,386
Fair value of assets at end of year	231,663	194,018	164,846
Funded status	(19,071)	(121,290)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	0	0
Non-current liabilities	(19,071)	(121,290)
Total funded status	(19,071)	(121,290)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	12,996	2,146
Net loss	40,272	129,484
Amortization of prior cost/(credit)	(689)	(530)	(530)
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	27,276	127,338
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	0	0
Net loss	0	0
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	0	0
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member]
Change in APBO
Medicare Part D subsidy received	410
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	(9,065)	(7,803)
Non-current liabilities	(274,315)	(416,220)
Total funded status		(2,909)
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	623,068	512,432
Service cost	14,258	12,273
Interest cost	26,741	25,679
Curtailment	805
Special termination benefit	808
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(64,119)	92,275
Benefits paid	(21,699)	(19,591)
Balance at end of year	579,862	623,068
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	409,971	366,555
Actual return on plan assets	69,473	49,438
Employer contributions	11,550	13,569
Fair value of assets at end of year	469,295	409,971
Funded status	(110,567)	(213,097)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(110,567)	(213,097)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	0	(8)
Net loss	178,990	283,847
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	178,990	283,855
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost		1
Net loss	25,437	42,414
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	25,437	42,415
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member] | Other Postretirement [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	207,987	191,877
Service cost	7,910	7,521	6,158
Interest cost	8,964	9,590	8,298
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailments	(1,546)
Curtailment	1,637
Plan amendments	(8,705)
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(40,941)	5,818
Employee contributions	1,998	1,945
Benefits paid	(8,958)	(9,543)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	410	779
Balance at end of year	170,302	207,987	191,877
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	0	0
Actual return on plan assets	0	0
Employer contributions	6,960	7,598
Fair value of assets at end of year	0	0	0
Funded status	(170,302)	(207,987)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	(8,803)	(7,546)
Non-current liabilities	(161,499)	(200,441)
Total funded status	(170,302)	(207,987)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	0	0
Net loss	0	0
Amortization of prior cost/(credit)	(942)	(824)	(824)
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	0	0
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	(10,359)	(2,687)
Net loss	31,577	77,113
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	21,218	74,426
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Change in APBO
Medicare Part D subsidy received	513
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	(10,255)	(9,170)
Non-current liabilities	(358,017)	(539,703)
Total funded status		(116)
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	817,745	704,748
Service cost	17,044	14,675
Interest cost	34,857	35,201
Curtailment	3,542
Special termination benefit	1,631
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(80,794)	93,817
Benefits paid	(32,675)	(30,696)
Balance at end of year	761,350	817,745
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	489,027	432,418
Actual return on plan assets	84,388	58,489
Employer contributions	21,152	28,816
Fair value of assets at end of year	561,892	489,027
Funded status	(199,458)	(328,718)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(199,458)	(328,718)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	1	(83)
Net loss	299,740	456,800
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	299,739	456,883
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost		0
Net loss	0	0
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	0	0
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Other Postretirement [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	220,017	196,352
Service cost	8,541	7,796	6,540
Interest cost	9,410	9,781	8,767
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailments	(1,848)
Curtailment	1,889
Plan amendments	(18,844)
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(43,747)	16,215
Employee contributions	2,509	2,725
Benefits paid	(11,524)	(13,760)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	513	908
Balance at end of year	168,764	220,017	196,352
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	0	0
Actual return on plan assets	0	0
Employer contributions	9,015	11,035
Fair value of assets at end of year	0	0	0
Funded status	(168,764)	(220,017)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	(10,249)	(9,152)
Non-current liabilities	(158,515)	(210,865)
Total funded status	(168,764)	(220,017)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	0	0
Net loss	0	0
Amortization of prior cost/(credit)	(508)	(247)	(247)
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	0	0
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	(19,390)	(1,095)
Net loss	35,001	83,795
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	15,611	82,700
Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Change in APBO
Medicare Part D subsidy received	245
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(66,722)	(160,866)
Total funded status		(1,841)
Entergy Mississippi [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	369,852	326,377
Service cost	7,295	6,410
Interest cost	15,802	16,279
Curtailment	767
Special termination benefit	359
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(31,684)	36,329
Benefits paid	(16,567)	(15,543)
Balance at end of year	345,824	369,852
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	248,272	223,981
Actual return on plan assets	41,980	30,169
Employer contributions	8,152	9,665
Fair value of assets at end of year	281,837	248,272
Funded status	(63,987)	(121,580)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(63,987)	(121,580)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	0	(10)
Net loss	120,290	185,903
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	120,290	185,913
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost		0
Net loss	0	0
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	0	0
Entergy Mississippi [Member] | Other Postretirement [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	100,508	94,570
Service cost	3,246	3,093	2,632
Interest cost	4,289	4,716	4,370
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailments	(596)
Curtailment	616
Plan amendments	(4,714)
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(25,527)	1,625
Employee contributions	1,292	1,269
Benefits paid	(5,416)	(5,199)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	245	434
Balance at end of year	74,539	100,508	94,570
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	62,951	54,452
Actual return on plan assets	9,826	5,874
Employer contributions	4,785	6,555
Fair value of assets at end of year	73,438	62,951	54,452
Funded status	(1,101)	(37,557)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	0	0
Non-current liabilities	(1,101)	(37,557)
Total funded status	(1,101)	(37,557)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	5,056	566
Net loss	9,304	41,855
Amortization of prior cost/(credit)	(204)	(139)	(139)
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	4,248	41,289
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	0	0
Net loss	0	0
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	0	0
Entergy New Orleans [Member]
Change in APBO
Medicare Part D subsidy received	194
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(32,497)	(83,790)
Total funded status		(457)
Entergy New Orleans [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	174,585	151,966
Service cost	3,264	2,824
Interest cost	7,462	7,608
Curtailment	343
Special termination benefit	581
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(16,276)	18,000
Benefits paid	(6,252)	(5,813)
Balance at end of year	163,707	174,585
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	106,778	94,202
Actual return on plan assets	18,259	12,578
Employer contributions	4,175	5,811
Fair value of assets at end of year	122,960	106,778
Funded status	(40,747)	(67,807)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(40,747)	(67,807)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	0	(2)
Net loss	69,856	103,072
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	69,856	103,074
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost		0
Net loss	0	0
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	0	0
Entergy New Orleans [Member] | Other Postretirement [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	74,200	69,316
Service cost	1,752	1,689	1,448
Interest cost	3,135	3,422	3,225
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailments	(354)
Curtailment	350
Plan amendments	(4,469)
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(13,739)	3,240
Employee contributions	915	742
Benefits paid	(4,464)	(4,605)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	194	396
Balance at end of year	57,874	74,200	69,316
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	58,651	53,418
Actual return on plan assets	8,870	4,691
Employer contributions	2,567	4,405
Fair value of assets at end of year	66,539	58,651	53,418
Funded status	8,665	(15,549)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	0	0
Non-current liabilities	8,665	(15,549)
Total funded status	8,665	(15,549)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	4,335	(114)
Net loss	6,485	26,502
Amortization of prior cost/(credit)	(24)	38	38
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	2,150	26,616
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	0	0
Net loss	0	0
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	0	0
Entergy Texas [Member]
Change in APBO
Medicare Part D subsidy received	334
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	(786)	(853)
Non-current liabilities	(51,253)	(155,241)
Total funded status		(9,732)
Entergy Texas [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	382,176	337,669
Service cost	6,475	5,684
Interest cost	16,303	16,823
Curtailment	1,559
Special termination benefit	855
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(33,792)	38,328
Benefits paid	(17,496)	(16,328)
Balance at end of year	356,080	382,176
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	262,110	237,438
Actual return on plan assets	44,257	31,909
Employer contributions	6,880	9,091
Fair value of assets at end of year	295,751	262,110
Funded status	(60,329)	(120,066)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(60,329)	(120,066)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	0	(7)
Net loss	120,619	189,589
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	120,619	189,596
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost		0
Net loss	0	0
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	0	0
Entergy Texas [Member] | Other Postretirement [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	142,114	133,602
Service cost	3,760	3,651	3,074
Interest cost	6,076	6,650	5,945
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailments	(1,436)
Curtailment	1,498
Plan amendments	(5,359)
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(26,048)	2,645
Employee contributions	1,498	1,526
Benefits paid	(8,455)	(6,604)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	334	644
Balance at end of year	115,418	142,114	133,602
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	115,824	105,181
Actual return on plan assets	17,905	10,869
Employer contributions	4,846	4,852
Fair value of assets at end of year	131,618	115,824	105,181
Funded status	16,200	(26,290)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	0	0
Non-current liabilities	16,200	(26,290)
Total funded status	16,200	(26,290)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	6,505	1,709
Net loss	22,772	61,077
Amortization of prior cost/(credit)	(501)	(428)	(428)
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	16,267	59,368
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	0	0
Net loss	0	0
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	0	0
System Energy [Member]
Change in APBO
Medicare Part D subsidy received	105
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(79,411)	(142,617)
System Energy [Member] | Qualified Pension Obligations [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	282,841	258,268
Service cost	7,242	5,920
Interest cost	12,170	12,987
Curtailment	0
Special termination benefit	1,970
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(23,882)	13,691
Benefits paid	(9,552)	(8,025)
Balance at end of year	270,789	282,841
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	168,697	147,091
Actual return on plan assets	28,878	19,860
Employer contributions	8,305	9,771
Fair value of assets at end of year	196,328	168,697
Funded status	(74,461)	(114,144)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Non-current liabilities	(74,461)	(114,144)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	4	(6)
Net loss	121,327	166,276
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	121,323	166,282
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost		0
Net loss	0	0
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	0	0
System Energy [Member] | Other Postretirement [Member]
Change in APBO
Balance at beginning of year	67,934	60,526
Service cost	3,580	3,293	2,642
Interest cost	2,945	3,028	2,666
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailments	(760)
Curtailment	769
Plan amendments	(4,591)
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(14,639)	2,861
Employee contributions	860	820
Benefits paid	(3,912)	(2,764)
Medicare Part D subsidy received	105	170
Balance at end of year	53,051	67,934	60,526
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	39,474	32,012
Actual return on plan assets	6,292	3,419
Employer contributions	5,387	5,987
Fair value of assets at end of year	48,101	39,474	32,012
Funded status	(4,950)	(28,460)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
Current liabilities	0	0
Non-current liabilities	(4,950)	(28,460)
Total funded status	(4,950)	(28,460)
Amounts recognized as a regulatory asset
Prior service cost/(credit)	4,702	246
Net loss	10,297	29,773
Amortization of prior cost/(credit)	(126)	(63)	(589)
Defined Benefit Plan, before Adoption of FAS 158 Recognition Provisions, Net Transition Obligations (Assets), Not yet Recognized	5,595	29,527
Amounts recognized as AOCI (before tax)
Prior service cost	0	0
Net loss	0	0
Amount recognized as AOCI (before tax)	$ 0	$ 0