A method for controlling elements for guiding sheet material and for controlling a surface for holding a sheet pile, which comprises registering, by a first sensor element, a lateral position of the sheet material and, based thereon, moving the surface for holding the sheet pile in a lateral direction, and controlling, via a sensor element for sensing a side edge of the sheet pile, independently of a first guide element, the lateral position of a further guide element, which is disposed on a side of the sheet pile, which is opposite to an aligning member for laterally aligning the sheet material and is assigned to an upper pile region; and a device for performing the method.