A handheld power tool having a power tool that executes a reciprocating motion, in particular a reciprocating power saw with a reciprocating sawblade (14), is disclosed. To prevent the power tool from sawing untrue during the cutting operation, in particular between the upper and lower cutting edges, the power tool is assigned at least one force transducer (19), which measures the magnitude of a transverse force, oriented transversely to the direction of motion, that occurs at the power tool, and at least one actuator (21), which acts on the power tool as a function of the measured magnitude of the transverse force, is provided for transverse force compensation.