Equity (Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017		Sep. 30, 2016
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Competitive Energy Revenue	$ 423,245	$ 475,345	$ 1,293,867		$ 1,341,534
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(1,801)	(6,740)	(3,172)		(25,702)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	643,439	651,110	813,509		1,349,914
Income taxes (benefits)	(241,795)	(257,906)	87,555		(148,879)
Consolidated net income	401,644	393,204	901,064	[1]	1,201,035	[1]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income	4,609	20,818	50,525		142,693
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income	2,235	1,672	26,454		6,696
Parent Company [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Competitive Energy Revenue	22,756	37,550	86,678		237,483
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(185)	(334)	(654)		(1,104)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	22,571	37,216	86,024		236,379
Income taxes (benefits)	(7,900)	(13,026)	(30,108)		(82,733)
Consolidated net income	14,671	24,190	55,916		153,646
Parent Company [Member] | Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Realized gain (loss)	4,382	3,279	51,871		13,129
Income taxes (benefits)	(2,147)	(1,607)	(25,417)		(6,433)
Parent Company [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior-service credit	6,565	7,354	19,691		22,064
Amortization of loss	(21,480)	(15,183)	(64,605)		(45,535)
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements	(4,200)	(1,279)	(5,965)		(1,279)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(19,115)	(9,108)	(50,879)		(24,750)
Income taxes (benefits)	6,818	4,064	19,034		7,101
Consolidated net income	(12,297)	(5,044)	(31,845)		(17,649)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(2,957)	(4,429)	(8,631)		(10,044)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	280,382	289,047	598,900		618,630
Income taxes (benefits)	(94,098)	(99,541)	(193,759)		(64,193)
Consolidated net income	186,284	189,506	405,141		554,437
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior-service credit	1,934	1,947	5,802		5,841
Amortization of loss	(1,332)	(1,570)	(3,996)		(4,712)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	602	377	1,806		1,129
Income taxes (benefits)	(232)	(145)	(756)		(404)
Consolidated net income	$ 370	$ 232	$ 1,050		$ 725

[1] (a) Consolidated net income and preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries for 2017 and 2016 include $10.3 million and $15.6 million, respectively, of preferred dividends on subsidiaries’ preferred stock without sinking fund that is not presented within equity.