Revolving Credit Facilities, Lines Of Credit, Short-Term Borrowings, And Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2020 USD ($)	May 31, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount of Facility			$ 3,500,000				$ 3,500,000
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding			$ 150,000				$ 150,000
Commercial Paper Program [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, weighted average interest rate			1.66%				1.66%
Commercial Paper program limit			$ 2,000,000				$ 2,000,000
Commercial Paper Amount Outstanding			1,398,000				1,398,000
Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount of Facility			3,500,000				3,500,000
Amount of total borrowing capacity against which fronting commitments exist			20,000				$ 20,000
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage							0.225%
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate During Period							2.50%
2.80% Series senior notes due June 2030 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage		2.80%
Amount		$ 600,000
3.75% Series senior notes due June 2050 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage		3.75%
Amount		$ 600,000
5.125% Series senior notes due September 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage		5.125%
Repayments of Notes Payable				$ 450,000
0.90% Series senior notes due September 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage								0.90%
Amount								$ 800,000
Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Authorized Short Term Borrowings			250,000				$ 250,000
Amount of total borrowing capacity against which fronting commitments exist			5,000				5,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount			$ 1,900				$ 1,900
Entergy Arkansas [Member] | 4.00% Series mortgage bonds due 2028 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage					4.00%
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt					$ 100,000
Entergy Arkansas [Member] | 2.65% Series mortgage bonds due June 2051 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage			2.65%				2.65%
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt			$ 675,000
Entergy Arkansas [Member] | 3.75% Series mortgage bonds due February 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage			3.75%				3.75%
Repayments of Debt			$ 350,000
Entergy Arkansas [Member] | 4.90% Series mortgage bonds due December 2052 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage			4.90%				4.90%
Repayments of Debt			$ 200,000
Entergy Arkansas [Member] | 4.75% Series mortgage bonds due June 2063 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage			4.75%				4.75%
Repayments of Debt			$ 125,000
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Authorized Short Term Borrowings			450,000				$ 450,000
Amount of total borrowing capacity against which fronting commitments exist			15,000				15,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount			2,200				2,200
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount of Facility				350,000		$ 350,000
Repayments of Debt						100,000
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | 2.90% Series mortgage bonds due March 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage					2.90%
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt					$ 350,000
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | 4.20% Series mortgage bonds due September 2048 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage					4.20%
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt					$ 300,000
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | 3.95% Series mortgage bonds due October 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage					3.95%
Repayments of Debt					$ 250,000
Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Authorized Short Term Borrowings			175,000				175,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount			700				700		$ 200
Entergy Mississippi [Member] | 3.50% Series mortgage bonds due June 2051 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage		3.50%
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt		$ 170,000
Entergy Texas [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Authorized Short Term Borrowings			200,000				200,000
Amount of total borrowing capacity against which fronting commitments exist			30,000				30,000
Entergy Texas [Member] | Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount of Facility				150,000		$ 150,000
Repayments of Debt				$ 100,000
Entergy Texas [Member] | 3.55% Series mortgage bonds due September 2049 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage					3.55%
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt					$ 175,000
System Energy [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Authorized Short Term Borrowings			200,000				200,000
Entergy New Orleans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Authorized Short Term Borrowings			150,000				150,000
Amount of total borrowing capacity against which fronting commitments exist			10,000				10,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount			200				200
Entergy New Orleans [Member] | 3.75% Series mortgage bonds due March 2040 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage					3.75%
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt					$ 62,000
Entergy New Orleans [Member] | 3.00% Series mortgage bonds due March 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage					3.00%
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt					$ 78,000
System Energy VIE [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding			$ 75,700				$ 75,700
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate During Period							1.63%
Line of credit facility commitment fee as a percentage of undrawn commitment amount							0.125%
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date							Sep. 16, 2022
System Energy VIE [Member] | Three Point Four Two Percent Series J Notes Due April Two Thousand Twenty One [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage			3.42%				3.42%
Amount			$ 100,000				$ 100,000
Repayments of Notes Payable			100,000
Entergy Arkansas VIE [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding			$ 9,100				$ 9,100
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate During Period							1.97%
Line of credit facility commitment fee as a percentage of undrawn commitment amount							0.125%
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date							Sep. 16, 2022
Entergy Arkansas VIE [Member] | Three Point Six Five Percent Series L Notes Due July Two Thousand Twenty One [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage			3.65%				3.65%
Amount			$ 90,000				$ 90,000
Entergy Louisiana Waterford VIE [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding			$ 51,400				$ 51,400
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate During Period							1.94%
Line of credit facility commitment fee as a percentage of undrawn commitment amount							0.125%
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date							Sep. 16, 2022
Entergy Louisiana Waterford VIE [Member] | Three Point Nine Two Percent Series H Dues February Two Thousand Twenty One [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage			3.92%				3.92%
Amount			$ 40,000				$ 40,000
Entergy Louisiana River Bend VIE [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding			$ 30,900				$ 30,900
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate During Period							2.07%
Line of credit facility commitment fee as a percentage of undrawn commitment amount							0.125%
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date							Sep. 16, 2022
Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage							0.225%
Consolidated debt ratio			0.65				0.65
Maximum [Member] | Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Consolidated debt ratio			0.65				0.65
Consolidated debt ratio of total capitalization							70.00%
Maximum [Member] | Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Consolidated debt ratio			0.65				0.65
Consolidated debt ratio of total capitalization							70.00%
Maximum [Member] | Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Consolidated debt ratio			0.65				0.65
Maximum [Member] | Entergy Texas [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Consolidated debt ratio			0.65				0.65
Maximum [Member] | System Energy [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Consolidated debt ratio			0.65				0.65
Consolidated debt ratio of total capitalization							70.00%
Maximum [Member] | Entergy New Orleans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Consolidated debt ratio			0.65				0.65
Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage							0.075%
Credit Facility Of Twenty Million [Member] | Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date							Apr. 15, 2021
Credit Facility Of Three Hundred Fifty Million [Member] | Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount of Facility			$ 350,000				$ 350,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount			0				0
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding			0				$ 0
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate During Period							1.27%
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date							Sep. 14, 2024
Credit Facility Of One Hundred And Fifty Million [Member] | Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount of Facility			150,000				$ 150,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount			0				0
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding			0				$ 0
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate During Period							1.27%
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date							Sep. 14, 2024
Credit Facility Of One Hundred And Fifty Million [Member] | Entergy Texas [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount of Facility			150,000				$ 150,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount			1,300				1,300
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding			0				$ 0
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate During Period							1.65%
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date							Sep. 14, 2024
Credit Facility Of Thirty Seven Point Five Million [Member] | Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount of Facility			37,500				$ 37,500
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount			0				0
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding			0				$ 0
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate During Period							1.65%
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date							Apr. 30, 2021
Credit Facility Of Thirty Five Million [Member] | Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount of Facility			35,000				$ 35,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount			0				0
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding			0				$ 0
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate During Period							1.65%
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date							Apr. 30, 2021
Credit Facility Of Ten Million [Member] | Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount of Facility			10,000				$ 10,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount			0				0
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding			0				$ 0
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate During Period							1.65%
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date							Apr. 30, 2021
Credit Facility Of Twenty Five Million [Member] | Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount of Facility			25,000				$ 25,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount			0				0
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding			0				$ 0
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate During Period							1.27%
Credit Facility Of Twenty Five Million [Member] | Entergy New Orleans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount of Facility			25,000				$ 25,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount			800				800
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding			0				$ 0
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate During Period							1.42%
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date							Nov. 20, 2021
Subsequent Event [Member] | Entergy Texas [Member] | 1.75% Series mortgage bonds due March 2031 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	1.75%
Amount	$ 600,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | Entergy Texas [Member] | 2.55% Series mortgage bonds due June 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	2.55%
Repayments of Debt	$ 125,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | Entergy Texas [Member] | 5.625% Series mortgage bonds due June 2064 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	5.625%
Repayments of Debt	$ 135,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | System Energy VIE [Member] | 2.05% Series K Intermediate term secured notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	2.05%
Amount	$ 90,000
Credit Facility of Sixty Five Million [Member] | Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount			1,000				$ 1,000
Uncommitted Credit Facility			65,000				65,000
Non-MISO letter of credit outstanding			$ 1,000				$ 1,000