Abstract: A portable electric stapler wherein a bladelike impeller is reciprocable by the armature of an electromagnet which is energizable a selected number of times so that a staple which is introduced into a housing channel in front of the impeller is gradually driven into a workpiece. The magazine for staples and that part of the housing which defines the channel are movable relative to the impeller between a first position in which a pusher can expel a staple from the magazine into the channel and a second position whereby the impeller separates the foremost staple from the stack of coherent staples in the magazine. The impeller blocks the outlet of the magazine during the intervals between successive energizations of the electromagnet to thus prevent entry of a fresh staple into the channel before the driving of the preceding staple into the workpiece is completed. The rearward movements of the armature and the impeller are braked by a pneumatic brake or by a shock absorber.