Method for the linear structuring of a coated substrate for producing thin-film solar cell modules in which tracks are introduced in an upper structure plane so as to be adapted to the path of existing tracks in a lower structure plane in that a structuring tool is controlled in y direction by means of a control quantity which is derived from image recordings of the existing tracks, and the substrate is moved back and forth under the structuring tool. The image recordings for acquiring existing tracks are carried out only during the forward passes. The generation of tracks takes place during the forward passes and backward passes.