Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule Of Earnings Per Share, Basic And Diluted) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Basic earnings per share
Net income (loss) attributable to Entergy Corporation									$ 848,661	$ 411,612	$ (583,618)
Net Income Attributable to Entergy Corporation, Shares									181,409,597	179,671,797	178,885,660
Basic earnings per share (in usd per share)	$ (0.37)	$ 2.96	$ 1.36	$ 0.73	$ (2.67)	$ 2.22	$ 2.28	$ 0.46	$ 4.68	$ 2.29	$ (3.26)
Average dilutive effect of:
Stock options, Shares									300,000	200,000	0
Stock options $/share									$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Average Dilutive Effect Of Restricted Stock Shares									700,000	600,000	0
Average Dilutive Effect Of Restricted Stock Per Share									$ (0.02)	$ 0	$ 0
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Equity Forward Agreements									1,000,000	0	0
Average Dilutive Effect Of Equity Forwards									$ (0.02)	$ 0.00	$ 0.00
Diluted earnings per share, Shares									183,378,513	180,535,893	178,885,660
Diluted earnings per share (in usd per share)	$ (0.36)	$ 2.92	$ 1.34	$ 0.73	$ (2.66)	$ 2.21	$ 2.27	$ 0.46	$ 4.63	$ 2.28	$ (3.26)