Method for microscopically examining a large number of samples, characterized by the following steps: a. arranging the samples in a sample holder having at least one strand-shaped subholder, with which at least one row of samples is held, wherein the sample holder is arranged to be movable relative to a sample illumination position by way of a motor and/or automatically in a manner such that, successively, in each case at least one of the samples is positionable in the sample illumination position, wherein a free space for a deflection means is left in each case adjacent to the sample that is currently in the sample illumination position, b. focusing a light stripe using an illumination objective, c. deflecting the light stripe, after the latter has passed through the illumination objective, using the deflection means in a manner such that the light stripe propagates at an angle of more than 10 degrees or at a right angle with respect to the optical axis of the illumination objective and has a focus in the sample illumination position, d. successively positioning the samples, held using the sample holder, in the sample illumination position and detecting the detection light emerging from the sample that is respectively located in the sample illumination position, wherein e. the sample holder, in which the samples are held in at least one straight row, is displaced in a step-wise manner in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the subholder in order to bring the individual samples to be examined into the sample illumination position one after the other, or f. the sample holder is rotated in order to position in each case the sample that is to be examined next in the illumination position, wherein the samples are held using the sample holder in a curved or in an annular row. a. arranging the samples in a sample holder having at least one strand-shaped subholder, with which at least one row of samples is held, wherein the sample holder is arranged to be movable relative to a sample illumination position by way of a motor and/or automatically in a manner such that, successively, in each case at least one of the samples is positionable in the sample illumination position, wherein a free space for a deflection means is left in each case adjacent to the sample that is currently in the sample illumination position, b. focusing a light stripe using an illumination objective, c. deflecting the light stripe, after the latter has passed through the illumination objective, using the deflection means in a manner such that the light stripe propagates at an angle of more than 10 degrees or at a right angle with respect to the optical axis of the illumination objective and has a focus in the sample illumination position, d. successively positioning the samples, held using the sample holder, in the sample illumination position and detecting the detection light emerging from the sample that is respectively located in the sample illumination position, wherein e. the sample holder, in which the samples are held in at least one straight row, is displaced in a step-wise manner in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the subholder in order to bring the individual samples to be examined into the sample illumination position one after the other, or f. the sample holder is rotated in order to position in each case the sample that is to be examined next in the illumination position, wherein the samples are held using the sample holder in a curved or in an annular row.