Abstract: A surface area vacuum gripper having a housing with suction openings for sucking a workpiece to be gripped, at least one cover plate that seals the end face of the housing, an insertion element that can be inserted into the housing, wherein the insertion element can be fixed at the cover plate and comprises at least one opening which is flow-connected with the suction openings in the housing, the cover plate comprising a compressed air inlet. The insertion element comprises a functional device for controlling a flow through the opening of the insert.