Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Basic earnings per share
EARNINGS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK	$ 628,054,000	$ 492,886,000	$ 1,192,300,000	$ 1,021,951,000
Net Income Attributable to Entergy Corporation, Shares	176,950,469	185,962,431	177,857,667	187,968,582
Net Income Attributable to Entergy Corporation, $/share	$ 3.55	$ 2.65	$ 6.70	$ 5.44
Average dilutive effect of:
Stock options, Shares	700,000	1,800,000	900,000	1,900,000
Stock options $/share	$ (0.02)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.06)
Diluted earnings per share, Income	628,100,000	492,900,000	1,192,300,000	1,022,000,000
Diluted earnings per share, Shares	177,723,020	187,777,172	178,805,215	189,914,439
Diluted earnings per share $/share	$ 3.53	$ 2.62	$ 6.67	$ 5.38
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Cash flow hedges net unrealized gain	21,937,000		21,937,000		106,258,000
Pension and other postretirement liabilities	(267,211,000)		(267,211,000)		(276,466,000)
Net unrealized investment gains	104,207,000		104,207,000		129,685,000
Foreign currency translation	2,730,000		2,730,000		2,311,000
Total	$ (138,337,000)		$ (138,337,000)		$ (38,212,000)