A device for spreading, compressing or guiding a running material web formed by a rotatably supported roll. The roll has a number of slats distributed over its circumference which can be displaced transversely to the direction of the web. The slats are actively connected with control devices that cause a longitudinal displacement of the slats. Alternating slats are actively connected to different control devices. Half of the slats have an adhesive surface and the other half has a sliding surface.