Revolving Credit Facilities, Lines Of Credit And Short-Term Borrowings (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 3,500
Issuance of letters of credit, percentage of total borrowing capacity	50.00%
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage	0.275%
Debt, weighted average interest rate	2.10%
Line of credit facility commitment fee as a percentage of undrawn commitment amount	0.20%
Issuance of Senior Notes	500
Net Repayment of Credit Facility Borrowings	455
Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Issuance of letters of credit, percentage of total borrowing capacity	50.00%
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	150	[1]
Issuance of letters of credit, percentage of total borrowing capacity	50.00%
Repayment on VIE Credit Facility	3.5
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member] | Five Point Four One Percent Series O Notes Due July Two Thousand Twleve [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of debt	60.00
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	5.41%
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member] | Three Point Two Five Percent Series Q Notes Due July Two Thousand Seventeen [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of debt	75.00
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	3.25%
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	200	[2]
Issuance of letters of credit, percentage of total borrowing capacity	50.00%
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Three Point Two Five Percent Series G Notes Due July Two Thousand Seventeen [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of debt	25.00
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	3.25%
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Five Point Two Five Percent Series First Mortgage Bonds Due July Two Thousand Fifty Two [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of debt	200.00
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	5.25%
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | One Point Eight Seven Five Percent Series First Mortgage Bonds Due December Two Thousand Fourteen [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of debt	250.00
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	1.875%
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Five Point Eight Percent Series Pollution Control Revenue Bonds Due April Two Thousand Sixteen [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of debt	10.84
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	5.80%
Entergy Texas [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	150	[3]
Issuance of letters of credit, percentage of total borrowing capacity	50.00%
System Energy [Member] | Four Point Zero Two Percent Series H Notes Due February Two Thousand Seventeen [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of debt	$ 50.00
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	4.02%
Entergy Corporation As Guarantor For System Energy [Member] | Four Point Seven Zero Percent Series Senior Notes Due January Two Thousand Seventeen [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	4.70%
Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage	0.275%
Consolidated debt ratio	65.00%
Consolidated debt ratio of total capitalization	70
Maximum [Member] | Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage	0.275%
Consolidated debt ratio	65.00%
Debt ratio	65.00%
Consolidated debt ratio of lessees total capitalization	70
Maximum [Member] | Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage	0.275%
Consolidated debt ratio	65.00%
Consolidated debt ratio of lessees total capitalization	70
Maximum [Member] | Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage	0.275%
Consolidated debt ratio	65.00%
Consolidated debt ratio of lessees total capitalization	70
Maximum [Member] | Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage	0.275%
Consolidated debt ratio	65.00%
Maximum [Member] | Entergy Texas [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage	0.275%
Consolidated debt ratio	65.00%
Maximum [Member] | Entergy Corporation As Guarantor For System Energy [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Consolidated debt ratio of lessees total capitalization	70
Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage	0.125%
Minimum [Member] | Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage	0.125%
Minimum [Member] | Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage	0.125%
Minimum [Member] | Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage	0.125%
Minimum [Member] | Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage	0.125%
Minimum [Member] | Entergy Texas [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage	0.125%

[1] The credit facility allows Entergy Gulf States Louisiana to issue letters of credit against 50% of the borrowing capacity of the facility. As of June 30, 2012, no letters of credit were outstanding. The credit facility requires Entergy Gulf States Louisiana to maintain a consolidated debt ratio of 65% or less of its total capitalization.

[2] The credit facility allows Entergy Louisiana to issue letters of credit against 50% of the borrowing capacity of the facility. As of June 30, 2012, no letters of credit were outstanding. The credit facility requires Entergy Louisiana to maintain a consolidated debt ratio of 65% or less of its total capitalization.

[3] The credit facility allows Entergy Texas to issue letters of credit against 50% of the borrowing capacity of the facility. As of June 30, 2012, no letters of credit were outstanding. The credit facility requires Entergy Texas to maintain a consolidated debt ratio of 65% or less of its total capitalization.