The linear groove formation method includes a resist forming process of forming a coated resist on a surface of a steel sheet, a laser irradiating process of irradiating laser beams onto the steel sheet while repeating a laser scanning in a direction intersecting a rolling direction of the steel sheet cyclically in the rolling direction of the steel sheet to remove the coated resist in portions irradiated with the laser beams, and an etching process of forming linear grooves by etching portions of the steel sheet from which the coated resist is removed. In the laser irradiating process, the coated resist is removed by using two or more laser irradiating devices, with a certain irradiation energy, a certain beam diameter in a direction perpendicular to a laser scanning direction, and a certain incidence angle with respect to the surface of the steel sheet.