Common Equity (Reclassifications from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ 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
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Miscellaneous - net									$ (129,754)	$ (113,426)	$ (112,851)
Total reclassifications before taxes									(174,271)	967,923	(1,381,762)
Investment Income, Net									63,864	288,197	145,127
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									(1,036,826)	542,570	(817,259)
Consolidated net income (loss)	$ (62,323)	$ 539,818	$ 248,860	$ 136,200	$ (475,710)	$ 401,644	$ 413,368	$ 86,051	862,555	425,353	(564,503)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income (loss)									(135,275)	83,484
Cash flow hedges net unrealized gain (loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications before taxes									(68,394)	107,803
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									(14,363)	37,731
Consolidated net income (loss)									(54,031)	70,072
Pension and other postretirement liabilities [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total reclassifications before taxes									(80,693)	(67,295)
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)									21,700	26,251
Amortization of net loss									(99,186)	(86,002)
Settlement loss									(3,207)	(7,544)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									(17,252)	(24,919)
Consolidated net income (loss)									(63,441)	(42,376)
Net unrealized investment gains [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Investment Income, Net									(28,170)	109,388
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									(10,367)	53,600
Consolidated net income (loss)									(17,803)	55,788
Power Contract [Member] | Cash flow hedges net unrealized gain (loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenues									(68,067)	108,606
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Cash flow hedges net unrealized gain (loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Miscellaneous - net									(327)	(803)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Miscellaneous - net									(27,530)	(39,756)	(37,715)
Total reclassifications before taxes									621,003	801,645	711,781
Investment Income, Net									141,882	164,550	154,778
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									(54,611)	485,298	89,734
Consolidated net income (loss)	$ 161,355	$ 218,308	$ 184,358	$ 111,593	$ (88,794)	$ 186,284	$ 124,479	$ 94,378	675,614	316,347	$ 622,047
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Pension and other postretirement liabilities [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior service credit									7,735	7,734
Total reclassifications before taxes									2,710	2,407
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gain (Loss)									(5,025)	(5,327)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									707	987
Consolidated net income (loss)									$ 2,003	$ 1,420