The invention relates to a more flexible hold-down device for clamping a metal sheet (5) to be profiled, said hold-down device comprising an upper clamping system (10, 10', 10'') and a lower clamping system (11, 11', 11'') which clamp the metal sheet (5) between them and which allow movement in one degree of freedom. The flexible hold-down device is arranged in front or behind a roll stand (19, 20) of a profiling installation for roll-forming cold-rolled or hot-rolled profiles of variable cross-section and the clamping systems are movably mounted via an upper guide element (14, 14') and a lower guide element (14, 14') in such a manner that they move synchronously with the advance of the metal sheet to prevent all degrees of freedom except the degree of freedom of the profiling installation. Every clamping system comprises a plurality of clamping shoes (12, 12', 12'') which are fastened to a continuous element (13) or form part of the same, said continuous element (13) being guided by the respective guide element (14, 14').