Revolving Credit Facilities, Lines Of Credit, Short-Term Borrowings, And Long-Term Debt (Notes Payable By Variable Interest Entities) (Details) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Entergy Arkansas VIE [Member]
Notes payable by variable interest entities
Consolidated Debt Ratio Of Capitalization	70.00%
Entergy Louisiana VIE [Member]
Notes payable by variable interest entities
Consolidated Debt Ratio Of Capitalization	70.00%
System Energy VIE [Member]
Notes payable by variable interest entities
Consolidated Debt Ratio Of Capitalization	70.00%
Three Point Two Three Percent Series J Notes Due July Two Thousand Sixteen [Member] | Entergy Arkansas VIE [Member]
Notes payable by variable interest entities
Stated interest rate (percentage)	3.23%
Amount	$ 55
Two Point Six Two Percent Series K Notes Due December Two Thousand Seventeen [Member] | Entergy Arkansas VIE [Member]
Notes payable by variable interest entities
Stated interest rate (percentage)	2.62%
Amount	$ 60
Three Point Six Five Percent Series L Notes Due July Two Thousand Twenty One [Member] | Entergy Arkansas VIE [Member]
Notes payable by variable interest entities
Stated interest rate (percentage)	3.65%
Amount	$ 90
Three Point Two Five Percent Series Q Due July Two Thousand Seventeen [Member] | Entergy Louisiana River Bend VIE [Member]
Notes payable by variable interest entities
Stated interest rate (percentage)	3.25%
Amount	$ 75
Three Point Three Eight Percent Series R Notes Due August Two Thousand Twenty [Member] | Entergy Louisiana River Bend VIE [Member]
Notes payable by variable interest entities
Stated interest rate (percentage)	3.38%
Amount	$ 70
Three Point Two Five Percent Series G Due July Two Thousand Seventeen [Member] | Entergy Louisiana Waterford VIE [Member]
Notes payable by variable interest entities
Stated interest rate (percentage)	3.25%
Amount	$ 25
Three Point Nine Two Percent Series H Dues February Two Thousand Twenty One [Member] | Entergy Louisiana Waterford VIE [Member]
Notes payable by variable interest entities
Stated interest rate (percentage)	3.92%
Amount	$ 40
Four Point Zero Two Percent Series H Notes Due February Two Thousand Seventeen [Member] | System Energy VIE [Member]
Notes payable by variable interest entities
Stated interest rate (percentage)	4.02%
Amount	$ 50
Three Point Seven Eight Percent Series I Notes Due October Two Thousand Eighteen [Member] | System Energy VIE [Member]
Notes payable by variable interest entities
Stated interest rate (percentage)	3.78%
Amount	$ 85