Equity (Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 2,903,568			$ 3,140,575			$ 7,743,534	$ 8,416,367
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(58,914)			(50,086)			(129,145)	(160,614)
Income taxes (benefits)	(149,444)			(29,201)			(167,366)	(73,430)
Consolidated net income	525,699	$ 365,113	$ 123,294	369,459	$ 240,533	$ 258,646	1,014,105	868,639
Competitive Businesses [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	214,406			300,372			746,706	1,023,768
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Consolidated net income	(2,967)			(7,472)			60,544	15,998
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)			(145)	(145)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	14,676			18,877			134,088	75,984
Income taxes (benefits)	(3,082)			(3,964)			(28,158)	(15,956)
Consolidated net income	11,594			14,913			105,930	60,028
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	14,724			18,925			134,233	76,129
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)	4,550			4,872			13,963	7,088
Income taxes (benefits)	(1,674)			(1,793)			(5,138)	(2,608)
Consolidated net income	2,876			3,079			8,825	4,480
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			15,083	15,977
Amortization of loss	(27,620)			(20,919)			(82,561)	(58,888)
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Settlement	(196)			(16,630)			(196)	(18,685)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(22,134)			(32,224)			(67,674)	(61,596)
Income taxes (benefits)	4,697			6,760			13,463	13,086
Consolidated net income	(17,437)			(25,464)			(54,211)	(48,510)
Entergy Louisiana [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	1,120,022			1,231,677			3,062,321	3,297,324
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(40,025)			(15,067)			(57,235)	(79,717)
Income taxes (benefits)	(49,287)			(54,964)			(35,014)	(109,900)
Consolidated net income	223,466	$ 170,459	$ 189,396	255,260	$ 183,084	$ 127,633	583,321	565,977
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	1,695			1,837			4,479	5,511
Amortization of loss	(417)			(526)			(1,137)	(1,578)
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation, (Increase) Decrease for Settlement and Curtailment	(196)			0			(196)	0
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	1,082			1,311			3,146	3,933
Income taxes (benefits)	(282)			(342)			(818)	(1,026)
Consolidated net income	$ 800			$ 969			$ 2,328	$ 2,907