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, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Basic earnings per share
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent									$ 1,388,334	$ 1,241,226	$ 848,661
Net Income Attributable to Entergy Corporation, Shares									200,106,945	195,195,858	181,409,597
Basic earnings per share (in usd per share)	$ 1.95	$ 2.60	$ 1.80	$ 0.59	$ 1.96	$ 1.84	$ 1.22	$ 1.34	$ 6.94	$ 6.36	$ 4.68
Average dilutive effect of:
Stock options, Shares									500,000	600,000	300,000
Stock options $/share									$ (0.02)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.01)
Average Dilutive Effect Of Restricted Stock Shares									500,000	800,000	700,000
Average Dilutive Effect Of Restricted Stock Per Share									$ (0.02)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.02)
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Equity Forward Agreements									0	400,000	1,000,000.0
Average Dilutive Effect Of Equity Forwards									$ 0	$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)
Diluted earnings per share, Shares									201,102,220	196,999,284	183,378,513
Diluted earnings per share (in usd per share)	$ 1.93	$ 2.59	$ 1.79	$ 0.59	$ 1.94	$ 1.82	$ 1.22	$ 1.32	$ 6.90	$ 6.30	$ 4.63