Rate And Regulatory Matters (Correction Of Regulatory Asset For Income Taxes, Statement Of Changes In Equity) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended				3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended							6 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended				3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2011 As Previously Reported [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 As Corrected [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Entergy Arkansas [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Entergy Arkansas [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Entergy Arkansas [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Entergy Arkansas [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member] Member's Equity [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member] Member's Equity [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member] As Previously Reported [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member] As Previously Reported [Member] Member's Equity [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member] As Previously Reported [Member] Member's Equity [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member] As Corrected [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member] As Corrected [Member] Member's Equity [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member] As Corrected [Member] Member's Equity [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Entergy Louisiana [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Entergy Louisiana [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Entergy Louisiana [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Entergy Louisiana [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Entergy Louisiana [Member] Member's Equity [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Entergy Louisiana [Member] Member's Equity [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Entergy Mississippi [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Entergy Mississippi [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Entergy Mississippi [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Entergy Mississippi [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Entergy New Orleans	Jun. 30, 2011 Entergy New Orleans	Jun. 30, 2012 Entergy New Orleans	Jun. 30, 2011 Entergy New Orleans	Jun. 30, 2012 Entergy Texas [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Entergy Texas [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Entergy Texas [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Entergy Texas [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 System Energy [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 System Energy [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 System Energy [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 System Energy [Member]
Beginning Balance			$ 9,055,270		$ 8,590,400						$ 1,444,124	$ 1,403,906			$ 1,333,776	$ 1,464,289	$ 1,393,386	$ 1,494,593	$ 1,509,213	$ 1,539,517	$ 1,439,733	$ 1,464,289	$ 1,494,593	$ 1,393,386			$ 2,564,929	$ 2,136,871	$ 2,504,436	$ 2,061,833			$ 835,706	$ 733,105			$ 181,165	$ 188,154			$ 899,355	$ 824,290			$ 800,563	$ 812,366
Net income	370,583	320,598	223,844	[1]	574,277	[1]	49,310	50,405	45,755	50,298	59,629	75,906	50,389	50,405	78,748	97,025	78,748	97,025	94,981	94,981		97,025	97,025		130,714	75,103	164,009	115,401	164,009	115,401	15,914	23,829	24,596	41,143	7,186	8,207	7,226	17,134	16,204	23,097	17,948	38,823	35,368	21,986	61,904	41,322
Ending Balance	$ 9,123,996	$ 8,691,566	$ 9,123,996		$ 8,691,566				$ 1,500,316	$ 1,447,375	$ 1,500,316	$ 1,447,375	$ 1,402,035	$ 1,439,866	$ 1,402,035	$ 1,439,866	$ 1,450,110	$ 1,468,941	$ 1,482,746	$ 1,511,821	$ 1,439,733	$ 1,439,866	$ 1,468,941	$ 1,393,386	$ 2,726,123	$ 2,218,698	$ 2,726,123	$ 2,218,698	$ 2,664,370	$ 2,142,559	$ 858,888	$ 769,534	$ 858,888	$ 769,534	$ 186,209	$ 192,206	$ 186,209	$ 192,206	$ 872,303	$ 863,113	$ 872,303	$ 863,113	$ 829,717	$ 814,388	$ 829,717	$ 814,388

[1] (a) Consolidated net income and preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries for 2012 and 2011 include $7.2 million and $6.7 million, respectively, of preferred dividends on subsidiaries' preferred stock without sinking fund that is not presented as equity.