Business Segment Information Business Segment Information (Restructuring Costs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Payments for Restructuring	$ 86	$ 0	$ 140	$ 0
Employee Retention and Severances Expenses and Other Benefits-Related Costs [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges			70
Payments for Restructuring	86	0	140	0
Economic Development Costs [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Payments for Restructuring	0	0	0	0
Entergy Wholesale Commodities [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	14	43	70	103
Restructuring Reserve	123	200	123	200	$ 195	$ 193	$ 157	$ 97
Entergy Wholesale Commodities [Member] | Employee Retention and Severances Expenses and Other Benefits-Related Costs [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	14	43	70	103
Restructuring Reserve	109	186	109	186	181	179	143	83
Entergy Wholesale Commodities [Member] | Economic Development Costs [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	0	0	0	0
Restructuring Reserve	$ 14	$ 14	$ 14	$ 14	$ 14	$ 14	$ 14	$ 14