A linear unit having a main module unit and a drive unit in which the main module unit has a housing with a table part that a drive belt is able to move in the longitudinal direction; the drive belt is wound around a drive roller, which is connected to a drive unit, and around a freewheeling roller; and the drive belt is connected to the table part and is divided into an upper span and a lower span, and a guide element is situated on the base leg of the housing and is able to separate the upper span from the lower span.