Given two n-tuples $a=(a_1,...,a_n)$ and $b=(b_1,...,b_n)$ of bounded linear operators on a Hilbert space the question of when there exists an elementary operator E such that $E{a}_j=b_j$ for all j =1,...,n, is studied. The analogous question for left multiplications (instead of elementary operators) is answered in any C*-algebra A, as a consequence of the characterization of closed left A-submodules in $A^n$.