A method and device for forming external electrodes on opposing surfaces of an electronic chip. A plurality of chips are arrayed on a plate and held at a first end faces by a silicon rubber provided on the plate. The plate is brought close to a coating bed so that second end faces of the chips are immersed in an electrically conductive paste formed on the coating bed. The second end faces of the chips are coated with the conductive paste which forms first electrodes after drying step. Subsequently, the plate is inverted and brought toward a sheet with a foamable and releasable adhesive layer for allowing the chips to be pressed against the foamable and releasable adhesive and held thereby. The chips are transferred from the plate to the sheet. Next, second electrodes are formed on the first end faces. After the first and second end faces are formed with electrodes, the sheet is heated, causing the foamable and releasable adhesive in the sheet to foam and lose its adhesive strength to remove the components from the sheet by their own weight.