A method for handling a strapping tape, the method providing: - an endlessly provided strapping tape, which is to be inserted from outside of the loop by means of at least one pair of rollers, through the gap between which rollers the strapping tape is fed drivably by at least one of the rollers in an insertion direction and opposite to an insertion direction, in the insertion direction along an insertion path leading around an article group describing a loop overlapping itself at least in one section, characterised in that: - the gap between the rollers is changeable in its width by the strapping tape, - it is detected at the end of the insertion path whether or not the end of the strapping tape preceding in insertion direction reaches the end of the insertion path, and - the width of the gap between the rollers is monitored in order to hereby determine whether or not the strapping tape is present in the gap between the rollers, wherein the strapping tape is not present if the width of the gap between the rollers has decreased to below a specified measure that cannot be fallen below of in the presence of the strapping tape, wherein: - if it is detected that the preceding end of the strapping tape has reached the end of the insertion path, it is provided that the strapping tape is retained in the area of the end of the insertion path, that the strapping tape is subsequently retracted from outside of the loop until it fits radially to the article group, that the strapping tape that has been fitted to the article group is thereupon tensioned, and that the strapping tape is then secured in the section, in which the loop overlaps itself, and that the thus formed strapping is finally separated from the strapping tape having been fed, and, - if it is detected that the preceding end of the strapping tape has not reached the end of the insertion path, it is provided that the strapping tape is retracted opposite to the insertion direction, wherein the retraction of the strapping tape is carried out for as long as strapping tape is present in the gap between the rollers, and the retraction ends as soon as no more strapping tape is present in the gap between the rollers. - an endlessly provided strapping tape, which is to be inserted from outside of the loop by means of at least one pair of rollers, through the gap between which rollers the strapping tape is fed drivably by at least one of the rollers in an insertion direction and opposite to an insertion direction, in the insertion direction along an insertion path leading around an article group describing a loop overlapping itself at least in one section, characterised in that: - the gap between the rollers is changeable in its width by the strapping tape, - it is detected at the end of the insertion path whether or not the end of the strapping tape preceding in insertion direction reaches the end of the insertion path, and - the width of the gap between the rollers is monitored in order to hereby determine whether or not the strapping tape is present in the gap between the rollers, wherein the strapping tape is not present if the width of the gap between the rollers has decreased to below a specified measure that cannot be fallen below of in the presence of the strapping tape, - the gap between the rollers is changeable in its width by the strapping tape, - it is detected at the end of the insertion path whether or not the end of the strapping tape preceding in insertion direction reaches the end of the insertion path, and - the width of the gap between the rollers is monitored in order to hereby determine whether or not the strapping tape is present in the gap between the rollers, wherein the strapping tape is not present if the width of the gap between the rollers has decreased to below a specified measure that cannot be fallen below of in the presence of the strapping tape, - if it is detected that the preceding end of the strapping tape has reached the end of the insertion path, it is provided that the strapping tape is retained in the area of the end of the insertion path, that the strapping tape is subsequently retracted from outside of the loop until it fits radially to the article group, that the strapping tape that has been fitted to the article group is thereupon tensioned, and that the strapping tape is then secured in the section, in which the loop overlaps itself, and that the thus formed strapping is finally separated from the strapping tape having been fed, and, - if it is detected that the preceding end of the strapping tape has not reached the end of the insertion path, it is provided that the strapping tape is retracted opposite to the insertion direction, wherein the retraction of the strapping tape is carried out for as long as strapping tape is present in the gap between the rollers, and the retraction ends as soon as no more strapping tape is present in the gap between the rollers.