A multifunction handler for handling drilling elements in a drilling rig includes a slide, which has a guide system and a lifting system. The slide is adapted to slide along a first axis parallel to the longitudinal extension of a drilling rig mast. An articulated arm, a robotic apparatus, and a handling head are adapted to seize, hold and release a drilling element. The articulated arm is fixed at a first end to the slide. A first end of the robotic apparatus is fixed to the second end of the articulated arm. The articulated arm allows moving the robotic apparatus along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The handling head connects to the second end of the robotic apparatus. The robotic apparatus moves the handling head with at least three degrees of freedom and the handler moves the handling head with at least five degrees of freedom.