An apparatus for displacing slide elements (3) in an apparatus for displaying characters, which consists of a basic part (1) comprising openings (3) for receiving the slide elements (3) and a visible surface (1a) and a reverse side opposite of the same, with the slide elements (3) being arranged in a displaceable manner from a first position to a second position in which the face surface (5) is arranged in the basic part (1) at a distance behind the visible surface (1a) and is substantially not visible. Two handle strips (7, 8) are provided which can be pressed against each other and on which there are arranged setting templates (16, 17) which are adjustable relative to each other and comprise positioning pins (34) which can be inserted into openings (2) of the basic part (1), and ) which can be introduced from both sides into the openings (2).