Equity (Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 2,609,584	$ 2,723,881
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(64,658)	(31,356)
Income taxes (benefits)	(42,771)	(43,663)
Consolidated net income	258,646	136,200
Competitive Businesses [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	433,612	418,924
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income	29,024	(6,741)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(48)	(122)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	51,567	(30,204)
Income taxes (benefits)	(10,829)	6,343
Consolidated net income	40,738	(23,861)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Competitive Businesses [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	51,615	(30,082)
Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Realized gain (loss)	(259)	53,314
Income taxes (benefits)	95	(19,620)
Consolidated net income	(164)	33,694
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior-service credit	5,326	5,426
Amortization of loss	(18,988)	(24,952)
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Settlement	(1,137)	(1,616)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(14,799)	(21,142)
Income taxes (benefits)	3,249	4,568
Consolidated net income	(11,550)	(16,574)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	959,330	1,029,344
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(42,344)	(7,665)
Income taxes (benefits)	(16,531)	(21,748)
Consolidated net income	127,633	111,593
Entergy Louisiana [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior-service credit	1,838	1,934
Amortization of loss	(527)	(1,257)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	1,311	677
Income taxes (benefits)	(342)	(176)
Consolidated net income	$ 969	$ 501