Equity (Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss))(Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	$ (34,971)	$ 8,951
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	72,480	115,055
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(26,549)	(94,214)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	45,931	20,841
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	10,960	29,792
Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	748	2,028
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	0	(284)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0	(284)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	748	1,744
Net Unrealized Investment Gains [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	429,734	367,557
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	39,872	25,032
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(2,045)	(1,963)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	37,827	23,069
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	467,561	390,626
Pension And Other Postretirement Liabilities [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	(469,446)	(466,604)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	0	0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	8,632	7,562
Other comprehensive income (loss)	8,632	7,562
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	(460,814)	(459,042)
Cash Flow Hedges Net Unrealized Gain [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	3,993	105,970
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	32,608	90,307
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(33,136)	(99,813)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(528)	(9,506)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	3,465	96,464
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	(48,442)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(370)	(263)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	(48,812)
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Pension And Other Postretirement Liabilities [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	(48,442)	(56,412)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(370)	(263)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(370)	(263)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	$ (48,812)	$ (56,675)