Revolving Credit Facilities, Lines Of Credit, Short-Term Borrowings, And Long-Term Debt (Book Value And The Fair Value Of Long-Term Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 15,216,502	$ 14,815,535
Long-term Debt, Book Value	14,846,729	14,832,555
Entergy Arkansas [Member]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	2,979,162	2,623,910
Long-term Debt, Book Value	3,063,310	2,829,785
Long term DOE obligations	183,000	182,000
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	6,454,620	5,929,488
Long-term Debt, Book Value	6,167,496	5,812,791
Capital Lease Obligations		57,000
Entergy Mississippi [Member]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	1,142,048	1,086,203
Long-term Debt, Book Value	1,121,606	1,120,916
Entergy New Orleans [Member]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	468,770	455,459
Long-term Debt, Book Value	444,310	448,994
Entergy Texas [Member]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	1,533,790	1,600,156
Long-term Debt, Book Value	1,451,643	1,508,407
System Energy [Member]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	533,855	529,520
Long-term Debt, Book Value	551,391	551,132
Capital Lease Obligations	$ 34,000	$ 34,000