Revolving Credit Facilities, Lines Of Credit And Short-Term Borrowings (Credit Facilities) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012
Amount of Facility	$ 3,500
Amount Drawn/ Outstanding	1,470.0
Entergy Arkansas [Member] | Credit Facility Of Twenty Million [Member]
Expiration Date	April 2013	[1]
Amount of Facility	20	[1]
Interest Rate	1.96%	[1]
Entergy Arkansas [Member] | Credit Facility Of One Hundred And Fifty Million [Member]
Expiration Date	March 2017	[2]
Amount of Facility	150	[2]
Interest Rate	1.75%	[2]
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana [Member]
Expiration Date	March 2017	[3]
Amount of Facility	150	[3]
Interest Rate	1.75%	[3]
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Expiration Date	March 2017	[4]
Amount of Facility	200	[4]
Interest Rate	1.75%	[4]
Entergy Mississippi [Member] | Credit Facility Of Thirty Five Million [Member]
Expiration Date	May 2013	[5]
Amount of Facility	35	[5]
Interest Rate	2.00%	[5]
Entergy Mississippi [Member] | Credit Facility Of Twenty Five Million [Member]
Expiration Date	May 2013	[5]
Amount of Facility	25	[5]
Interest Rate	2.00%	[5]
Entergy Mississippi [Member] | Credit Facility Of Ten Million [Member]
Expiration Date	May 2013	[5]
Amount of Facility	10	[5]
Interest Rate	2.00%	[5]
Entergy Texas [Member]
Expiration Date	March 2017	[6]
Amount of Facility	$ 150	[6]
Interest Rate	2.00%	[6]
Maximum [Member] | Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Debt ratio	65.00%

[1] The credit facility requires Entergy Arkansas to maintain a debt ratio of 65% or less of its total capitalization. Borrowings under the Entergy Arkansas credit facility may be secured by a security interest in its accounts receivable.

[2] The credit facility allows Entergy Arkansas to issue letters of credit against 50% of the borrowing capacity of the facility. As of June 30, 2012, no letters of credit were outstanding. The credit facility requires Entergy Arkansas to maintain a consolidated debt ratio of 65% or less of its total capitalization.

[3] The credit facility allows Entergy Gulf States Louisiana to issue letters of credit against 50% of the borrowing capacity of the facility. As of June 30, 2012, no letters of credit were outstanding. The credit facility requires Entergy Gulf States Louisiana to maintain a consolidated debt ratio of 65% or less of its total capitalization.

[4] The credit facility allows Entergy Louisiana to issue letters of credit against 50% of the borrowing capacity of the facility. As of June 30, 2012, no letters of credit were outstanding. The credit facility requires Entergy Louisiana to maintain a consolidated debt ratio of 65% or less of its total capitalization.

[5] Borrowings under the Entergy Mississippi credit facilities may be secured by a security interest in its accounts receivable. Entergy Mississippi is required to maintain a consolidated debt ratio of 65% or less of its total capitalization.

[6] The credit facility allows Entergy Texas to issue letters of credit against 50% of the borrowing capacity of the facility. As of June 30, 2012, no letters of credit were outstanding. The credit facility requires Entergy Texas to maintain a consolidated debt ratio of 65% or less of its total capitalization.