Equity (Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 2,666,209	$ 2,668,770	$ 5,275,792	$ 5,392,650
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(45,870)	(48,491)	(110,527)	(79,849)
Income taxes (benefits)	(1,458)	280,596	(44,229)	236,933
Consolidated net income	240,533	248,860	499,180	385,059
Competitive Businesses [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	289,783	308,602	723,394	727,526
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income	(5,555)	(18,346)	23,468	(62,201)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(48)	(93)	(97)	(215)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	5,541	2,642	57,107	(27,562)
Income taxes (benefits)	(1,164)	(555)	(11,993)	5,788
Consolidated net income	4,377	2,087	45,114	(21,774)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Competitive Businesses [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	5,589	2,735	57,204	(27,347)
Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Realized gain (loss)	2,475	(7,702)	2,216	(13,114)
Income taxes (benefits)	(911)	2,834	(816)	4,826
Consolidated net income	1,564	(4,868)	1,400	(8,288)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior-service credit	5,325	5,424	10,652	10,850
Amortization of loss	(18,980)	(24,808)	(37,969)	(49,760)
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Settlement	(918)	(406)	(2,055)	(2,022)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(14,573)	(19,790)	(29,372)	(40,932)
Income taxes (benefits)	3,077	4,225	6,326	8,793
Consolidated net income	(11,496)	(15,565)	(23,046)	(32,139)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	1,106,317	1,072,788	2,065,647	2,102,132
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(22,306)	(22,770)	(64,650)	(30,435)
Income taxes (benefits)	(38,405)	55,122	(54,936)	33,374
Consolidated net income	183,084	184,358	310,717	295,952
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior-service credit	1,837	1,934	3,674	3,868
Amortization of loss	(526)	(1,256)	(1,052)	(2,513)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	1,311	678	2,622	1,355
Income taxes (benefits)	(342)	(177)	(684)	(353)
Consolidated net income	$ 969	$ 501	$ 1,938	$ 1,002