Equity (Schedule Of Earnings Per Share, Basic And Diluted) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Basic earnings per share
Net income (loss) attributable to Entergy Corporation, Income	$ 365,001,000	$ 315,583,000	$ 213,318,000	$ 564,246,000
Net Income Attributable to Entergy Corporation, Shares	177,166,519	177,808,890	177,015,941	178,318,784
Net Income Attributable to Entergy Corporation, $/share	$ 2.06	$ 1.77	$ 1.21	$ 3.16
Average dilutive effect of:
Stock options, Shares	400,000	1,000,000	400,000	1,000,000
Stock options $/share		$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)
Restricted stock, Shares		100,000	100,000	200,000
Diluted earnings per share, Income	$ 365,000,000	$ 315,600,000	$ 213,300,000	$ 564,200,000
Diluted earnings per share, Shares	177,565,351	178,925,180	177,470,486	179,502,551
Diluted earnings per share $/share	$ 2.06	$ 1.76	$ 1.20	$ 3.14