Equity (Schedule Of Earnings Per Share, Basic And Diluted) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Basic earnings per share
Net income (loss) attributable to Entergy Corporation, Income	$ 161,400	$ (151,683)
Net Income Attributable to Entergy Corporation, Shares	178,027,961	176,865,363
Net Income Attributable to Entergy Corporation, $/share	$ 0.91	$ (0.86)
Average dilutive effect of:
Stock options, Shares	100,000.0	500,000.0
Restricted stock $/share	$ (0.01)
Restricted stock, Shares	300,000.0
Diluted earnings per share, Shares	178,413,287	177,388,045
Diluted earnings per share $/share	$ 0.90	$ (0.86)