Abstract: A method and an installation for inductively heating flat objects that are transported in a feed direction. The installation has at least one transverse field inductor device which extends transversely to the feed direction over the width of the flat object and has a longitudinal axis running parallel to the transverse axis of the flat object. The transverse field inductor device is positioned such that the longitudinal axis extends in a vertical plane obliquely with respect to the transverse axis of the flat object. With the method it is possible to vary the distance between the flat object and the inductor device and thus the temperature distribution over the transverse profile of the flat object so that the flat object is heated homogeneously.