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, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Basic earnings per share
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent									$ 1,241,226	$ 848,661	$ 411,612
Net Income Attributable to Entergy Corporation, Shares									195,195,858	181,409,597	179,671,797
Basic earnings per share (in usd per share)	$ 1.96	$ 1.84	$ 1.22	$ 1.34	$ (0.37)	$ 2.96	$ 1.36	$ 0.73	$ 6.36	$ 4.68	$ 2.29
Average dilutive effect of:
Stock options, Shares									600,000	300,000	200,000
Stock options $/share									$ (0.02)	$ (0.01)	$ 0
Average Dilutive Effect Of Restricted Stock Shares									800,000	700,000	600,000
Average Dilutive Effect Of Restricted Stock Per Share									$ (0.03)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.01)
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Equity Forward Agreements									400,000	1,000,000.0	0
Average Dilutive Effect Of Equity Forwards									$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)	$ 0
Diluted earnings per share, Shares									196,999,284	183,378,513	180,535,893
Diluted earnings per share (in usd per share)	$ 1.94	$ 1.82	$ 1.22	$ 1.32	$ (0.36)	$ 2.92	$ 1.34	$ 0.73	$ 6.30	$ 4.63	$ 2.28