Retirement And Other Postretirement Benefits (Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Pension Plans Defined Benefit [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit), Pre Tax	$ (502)
Amortization of Gains (Losses), Pre Tax	(11,845)
Pension Plans Defined Benefit [Member] | Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortization of Gains (Losses), Pre Tax	(771)
Other Postretirement [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit), Pre Tax	3,007
Amortization of Gains (Losses), Pre Tax	(5,486)
Other Postretirement [Member] | Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit), Pre Tax	206
Amortization of Gains (Losses), Pre Tax	(1,174)
Other Postretirement [Member] | Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit), Pre Tax	62
Amortization of Gains (Losses), Pre Tax	(1,287)
Non-Qualified Pension Plans [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit), Pre Tax	(121)
Amortization of Gains (Losses), Pre Tax	(717)
Non-Qualified Pension Plans [Member] | Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortization of Gains (Losses), Pre Tax	$ (2)