Business Segment Information (Segment Financial Information) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Financial Information
Operating revenues	$ 3,208,843	$ 2,608,874
Income taxes (benefits)	216,966	116,536
Consolidated net income	406,053	166,982	[1]
Utility [Member]
Segment Financial Information
Operating revenues	2,304,704	2,003,441
Income taxes (benefits)	115,064	71,075
Consolidated net income	205,440	127,835
Entergy Wholesale Commodities [Member]
Segment Financial Information
Operating revenues	912,122	613,733
Income taxes (benefits)	118,877	56,936
Consolidated net income	242,470	82,114
All Other [Member]
Segment Financial Information
Operating revenues	761	1,000
Income taxes (benefits)	(16,975)	(11,475)
Consolidated net income	(15,462)	(16,572)
Eliminations [Member]
Segment Financial Information
Operating revenues	(8,744)	(9,300)
Consolidated net income	$ (26,395)	$ (26,395)

[1] Consolidated net income and preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries for 2014 and 2013 include $3.2 million and $3.9 million, respectively, of preferred dividends on subsidiaries’ preferred stock without sinking fund that is not presented within equity.