Selecting multiple objects in layers panel in illustrator?

[tom thurs]

I was wondering if there's a way of selecting multiple objects in layers panel in illustrator?
I can select each circle thing individually next to the object but I can't shift select a large group of them.

Is there a hidden button combination like the 'shift+alt+cmd+J' on 2 end points to turn them into one point?

Thanks for any help

 

[spottypenguin]

You can select multiple layers by holding Cmnd / Control and clicking in the layer; I don't know of a way of selecting multiple items from different layers in that way. If I ever need to do that I just keep the layers unlocked and shift/select the items from the artboard.