Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Basic earnings per share
EARNINGS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK	$ 315,583,000	$ 315,266,000	$ 564,246,000	$ 529,064,000
Net Income Attributable to Entergy Corporation, Shares	177,808,890	188,776,240	178,318,784	188,988,284
Net Income Attributable to Entergy Corporation, $/share	$ 1.77	$ 1.67	$ 3.16	$ 2.80
Average dilutive effect of:
Stock options, Shares	1,000,000	1,900,000	1,000,000	2,000,000
Stock options $/share	$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.03)
Restricted stock, Shares	100,000		200,000
Diluted earnings per share, Income	315,600,000	315,300,000	564,200,000	529,100,000
Diluted earnings per share, Shares	178,925,180	190,717,958	179,502,551	190,999,699
Diluted earnings per share $/share	$ 1.76	$ 1.65	$ 3.14	$ 2.77
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Cash flow hedges net unrealized gain	34,534,000		34,534,000		106,258,000
Pension and other postretirement liabilities	(269,868,000)		(269,868,000)		(276,466,000)
Net unrealized investment gains	157,556,000		157,556,000		129,685,000
Foreign currency translation	2,622,000		2,622,000		2,311,000
Total	$ (75,156,000)		$ (75,156,000)		$ (38,212,000)