Revolving Credit Facilities, Lines Of Credit, Short-Term Borrowings, And Long-Term Debt (Book Value And The Fair Value Of Long-Term Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 14,435,145	$ 14,815,535
Long-term Debt, Book Value	14,260,913	14,832,555
Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	2,676,887	2,623,910
Long-term Debt, Book Value	2,830,478	2,829,785
Long term DOE obligations	182,000	182,000
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	5,987,581	5,929,488
Long-term Debt, Book Value	5,775,355	5,812,791
Capital Lease Obligations		57,000
Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	1,109,658	1,086,203
Long-term Debt, Book Value	1,121,139	1,120,916
Entergy New Orleans [Member]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	465,593	455,459
Long-term Debt, Book Value	449,134	448,994
Entergy Texas [Member]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	1,575,584	1,600,156
Long-term Debt, Book Value	1,484,583	1,508,407
System Energy [Member]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	483,464	529,520
Long-term Debt, Book Value	501,215	551,132
Capital Lease Obligations	$ 34,000	$ 34,000