The invention relates to a method for removing and installing rolls (2) in a paper machine or the like substantially in the longitudinal direction of the rolls. In the method, an auxiliary displacing means (3) is supported to a substantially horizontal support structure of the paper machine or the like above the roll (2) to be displaced, the auxiliary displacing means being mounted to move along the support structure; one end of the roll (2) to be displaced is fixed to the auxiliary displacing means (3) so as to be suspended from it, and the other end of the roll is supported by a displacing device; and the roll (2) is then moved by the displacing device substantially in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the roll so that the auxiliary displacing means (3) fixed to one end of the roll moves along the support structure (1) while the roll to be displaced moves with it.