An assistance method for the execution of a format change in an automatic machine for manufacturing or packing of smoking, hygiene, food, or pharmaceutical products; the format change involves adjusting the automatic machine from the processing of an old product format to the processing of a new product format, which is different from the old format; the automatic machine comprises at least one processing line, along which the processing of the products is carried out and a plurality of components, which are distributed along the processing line so as to form the processing line; the assistance method comprises the steps of: • identifying all and only the components that need to be replaced during the format change; • dividing the format change into an orderly succession of operations for the removal of components designed for the old format and for the installation of components designed for the new format; and • communicating the orderly succession of removal and installation operations to an operator taking care of the format change; the assistance method is characterized in that it comprises the further steps of: • associating a corresponding electronic identification device with each one of all and only the components that need to be replaced during the format change, i.e. an electronic identification device is installed, that is fixed, on each one of all and only the components that need to be replaced during the format change; • electronically and automatically detecting, by means of a control unit, the actual absence/presence of a component by electronically and automatically detecting the actual absence/presence of the electronic identification device associated with the component; • electronically and automatically detecting the actual absence, in the automatic machine, of a component designed for the old format after having communicated the operation for the removal of the component to the operator; • communicating to the operator the operation following an operation for the removal of a component only after having electronically and automatically checked for the actual absence, in the automatic machine, of the component; • electronically and automatically detecting the actual presence, in the automatic machine, of a component comprising the electronic identification device and designed for the new format after having communicated to the operator the operation for the installation of the component; • communicating to the operator the operation following an operation for the installation of a component only after having electronically and automatically checked for the actual presence, in the automatic machine, of the component; • electronically and automatically detecting the actual presence, in the automatic machine, of a component designed for the old format before communicating to the operator the operation for the removal of the component; and • electronically and automatically detecting the actual absence, in the automatic machine, of a component designed for the new format before communicating to the operator the operation for the installation of the component. • identifying all and only the components that need to be replaced during the format change; • dividing the format change into an orderly succession of operations for the removal of components designed for the old format and for the installation of components designed for the new format; and • communicating the orderly succession of removal and installation operations to an operator taking care of the format change; • associating a corresponding electronic identification device with each one of all and only the components that need to be replaced during the format change, i.e. an electronic identification device is installed, that is fixed, on each one of all and only the components that need to be replaced during the format change; • electronically and automatically detecting, by means of a control unit, the actual absence/presence of a component by electronically and automatically detecting the actual absence/presence of the electronic identification device associated with the component; • electronically and automatically detecting the actual absence, in the automatic machine, of a component designed for the old format after having communicated the operation for the removal of the component to the operator; • communicating to the operator the operation following an operation for the removal of a component only after having electronically and automatically checked for the actual absence, in the automatic machine, of the component; • electronically and automatically detecting the actual presence, in the automatic machine, of a component comprising the electronic identification device and designed for the new format after having communicated to the operator the operation for the installation of the component; • communicating to the operator the operation following an operation for the installation of a component only after having electronically and automatically checked for the actual presence, in the automatic machine, of the component; • electronically and automatically detecting the actual presence, in the automatic machine, of a component designed for the old format before communicating to the operator the operation for the removal of the component; and • electronically and automatically detecting the actual absence, in the automatic machine, of a component designed for the new format before communicating to the operator the operation for the installation of the component.