Common Equity (Reclassifications from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Miscellaneous - net									$ (59,762)		$ (53,214)		$ (59,271)
Total reclassifications before taxes									956,553		899,218		1,653,635
Income taxes									(225,981)		(30,855)		(286,263)
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME	151,353	244,182	168,055	166,982	301,850	342,670	370,583	(146,740)	730,572	[1]	868,363	[1]	1,367,372	[1]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME									7,675
Cash flow hedges net unrealized gain (loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications before taxes									45,454
Income taxes									(17,084)
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME									28,370
Pension and other postretirement liabilities [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications before taxes									(68,871)
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)									10,556	[2]
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment									315	[2]
Amortization of net loss									(68,130)	[2]
Settlement loss									(11,612)	[2]
Income taxes									26,949
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME									(41,922)
Net unrealized investment gains [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Realized gain									41,622
Income taxes									(20,395)
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME									21,227
Power Contract [Member] | Cash flow hedges net unrealized gain (loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenues									47,019
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Cash flow hedges net unrealized gain (loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Miscellaneous - net									(1,565)
Entergy Gulf States [Member] | Pension and other postretirement liabilities [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications before taxes									(6,612)
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)									941	[2]
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment									91	[2]
Amortization of net loss									(7,644)	[2]
Income taxes									2,818
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME									(3,794)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Miscellaneous - net									(3,990)		(2,584)		(3,520)
Total reclassifications before taxes									334,341		152,159		103,712
Income taxes									(81,877)		128,922		370,211
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME	45,114	100,597	61,377	45,376	36,864	80,208	130,714	33,295	252,464		281,081		473,923
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Pension and other postretirement liabilities [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications before taxes									(4,501)
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)									508	[2]
Acceleration of prior service cost due to curtailment									41	[2]
Amortization of net loss									(5,050)	[2]
Income taxes									1,873
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME									$ (2,628)

[1] Consolidated net income and preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries for 2013, 2012, and 2011 include $12.0 million, $15.0 million, and $13.3 million, respectively, of preferred dividends on subsidiaries’ preferred stock without sinking fund that is not presented as equity.

[2] (a)These accumulated other comprehensive loss components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 11 to the financial statements for additional details.