Equity (Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 2,412,788		$ 2,666,209		$ 4,839,967	$ 5,275,792
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(93,620)		(45,870)		(70,232)	(110,527)
Income taxes (benefits)	(89,115)		(1,458)		(17,921)	(44,229)
Consolidated net income	365,113	$ 123,294	240,533	$ 258,646	488,406	499,180
Competitive Businesses [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	199,736		289,783		532,300	723,394
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income	17,052		(5,555)		113,664	23,468
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)		(48)		(97)	(97)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	25,038		5,541		119,412	57,107
Income taxes (benefits)	5,258		(1,164)		25,077	(11,993)
Consolidated net income	30,296		4,377		144,489	45,114
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	25,086		5,589		119,509	57,204
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)	6,297		2,475		9,413	2,216
Income taxes (benefits)	(2,317)		(911)		(3,464)	(816)
Consolidated net income	3,980		1,564		5,949	1,400
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	5,682		5,325		9,401	10,652
Amortization of loss	(27,619)		(18,980)		(54,937)	(37,969)
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Settlement	0		(918)		0	(2,055)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(21,937)		(14,573)		(45,536)	(29,372)
Income taxes (benefits)	4,713		3,077		8,762	6,326
Consolidated net income	(17,224)		(11,496)		(36,774)	(23,046)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	1,011,652		1,106,317		1,942,299	2,065,647
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(66,811)		(22,306)		(17,210)	(64,650)
Income taxes (benefits)	(35,910)		(38,405)		14,273	(54,936)
Consolidated net income	170,459	$ 189,396	183,084	$ 127,633	359,855	310,717
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	1,698		1,837		2,787	3,674
Amortization of loss	(419)		(526)		(720)	(1,052)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	1,279		1,311		2,067	2,622
Income taxes (benefits)	(334)		(342)		(539)	(684)
Consolidated net income	$ 945		$ 969		$ 1,528	$ 1,938