Updated 24 October 2026. Every answer lists its source.
Minecraft inventory questions, answered
The inventory screen and hotbar, and the shortcuts that make managing items fast.
How do you open your inventory?
Press E on Java and Bedrock for PC. On controllers use Y on Xbox, triangle on PlayStation or X on Switch.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Inventory, Minecraft Wiki - Controls
What is the off hand?
The off hand is a second hand slot for a shield, totem, torch, map or food. Press F on Java to swap your main hand and off hand.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Inventory
How do you put something in your off hand on Bedrock?
Bedrock only lets some items go in the off hand, such as shields, totems, arrows, fireworks and maps. Move them to the off-hand slot in the inventory.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Inventory
How do you sort your inventory?
Vanilla Minecraft has no sort button. Shift-click and double-click to gather stacks, or use a mod or server plugin that adds sorting.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Inventory
How do you save hotbars in Creative?
On Java in Creative, hold C and press a number to save your hotbar, and hold X and press the number to load it.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Controls
How do you search the Creative inventory?
On Java open the search tab (the compass icon) and type. Bedrock has a search box in the Creative inventory too.
Why can't I pick up items?
Your inventory is full, or an item filter or server rule stops pickups. Make space and walk over the items again.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Inventory
How do you see item durability?
Damaged items show a bar under them. On Java, press F3 + H to show exact durability numbers in item tooltips.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Item durability, Minecraft Wiki - Debug screen
More questions
Every topic is on the FAQ hub. Questions about the ArtemisPvP server itself (commands, ranks, events) are on the server FAQ. Server IP: play.artemispvp.com.