The invention relates to a method for processing a side edge of a panel (2), in particular a floor panel, with a top (18) and a bottom (19), which on at least two side edges lying opposite one another has profiles corresponding to one another such that two identically embodied panels (2) can be joined and locked to one another in the horizontal and vertical direction by an essentially vertical joining movement, wherein the locking in the vertical direction can be produced by at least one tongue element formed in one piece from the core and moveable in the horizontal direction, which tongue element during the joining movement snaps in behind a locking edge extending essentially in the horizontal direction and the tongue element is exposed by means of at least one essentially vertical slot with respect to the core, and at least one of the slots is not embodied in a continuous manner over the entire length of the side edge, wherein the at least one non-continuous slot is produced by at least one guided tool (41) such that the panel (2) is conveyed in a transport direction (x) under the tool (41), the tool (41) dips into the core of the panel (2) by means of a swivel motion and is lifted out again in the opposite direction before the panel (2) has been completely conveyed past under the tool (41).