AutoCAD 2010 :: Multiple Selection Of Objects By One Type

 My question is, if there any tool /command, utility in autocad to select all objects of one type at one time : for example all text objects or all dimention objects  if these objects on different layers and have different properties. in my work I have to insert many blocks(not annotative) or parts of drawings which were created by other people and have different from mine settings and properties of text and dimention objects. the insertions add so many layers and objects that I spend lots of time to correct them and to figure it  out.

is there any way( command, utility) to select and manage all of these  objects at one time?

P.S.i think it is very unconvenient that the  plain autocad  does not have dimentions and text as families or some sort of groups that s easy to manage.