Equity (Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 3,140,575			$ 3,104,319			$ 8,416,367	$ 8,496,970
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(50,086)			(43,591)			(160,614)	(123,439)
Income taxes (benefits)	(29,201)			283,006			(73,430)	519,937
Consolidated net income	369,459	$ 240,533	$ 258,646	539,818	$ 248,860	$ 136,200	868,639	924,877
Competitive Businesses [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	300,372			380,080			1,023,768	1,107,606
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income	(7,472)			(29,090)			15,998	(91,291)
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)			(63)			(145)	(278)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	18,877			(10,629)			75,984	(38,191)
Income taxes (benefits)	(3,964)			2,232			(15,956)	8,020
Consolidated net income	14,913			(8,397)			60,028	(30,171)
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	18,925			(10,566)			76,129	(37,913)
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)	4,872			(8,589)			7,088	(21,703)
Income taxes (benefits)	(1,793)			3,161			(2,608)	7,987
Consolidated net income	3,079			(5,428)			4,480	(13,716)
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			5,425			15,977	16,278
Amortization of loss	(20,919)			(24,740)			(58,888)	(74,503)
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Settlement	(16,630)			(76)			(18,685)	(2,098)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(32,224)			(19,391)			(61,596)	(60,323)
Income taxes (benefits)	6,760			4,126			13,086	12,919
Consolidated net income	(25,464)			(15,265)			(48,510)	(47,404)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	1,231,677			1,206,612			3,297,324	3,308,744
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(15,067)			(25,782)			(79,717)	(56,217)
Income taxes (benefits)	(54,964)			(2,944)			(109,900)	30,430
Consolidated net income	255,260	$ 183,084	$ 127,633	218,308	$ 184,358	$ 111,593	565,977	514,260
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			5,511	5,802
Amortization of loss	(526)			(1,257)			(1,578)	(3,770)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	1,311			677			3,933	2,032
Income taxes (benefits)	(342)			(177)			(1,026)	(530)
Consolidated net income	$ 969			$ 500			$ 2,907	$ 1,502