Ok I'm about sick of ctrl+clicking every bloody item in say a shop etc and placing ownership on them. Easier way anyone?

I just happened to read about it last week, if I remember correctly: add a chest to the shop, set the ownership of the chest to the shop owner and place the items in there. I linked to the original thread below so you can read it all back:

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1228028-changing-shopkeeper-inventories/page__p__18567975__hl__ownership__fromsearch__1#entry18567975

but if the items are to be visible I don't know if there's an easier way

You can always sort the items in the cell view window and shift/ctrl + click there. It's a lot easier, but you still have select the items and open the properties of one of the selected items manually. Then, there is a button below the area where you apply ownership data that says "Apply to Selection". Click it and it will do just that.

I think Pluto mentioned recently that you can select multiple items, then change the ownership of one of those items and it will change it for all of them. I havent tested this but it could work.

The procedure is as Arsuru explained, and it does work (it saves a tremendous amount of time). As long as the [Apply to Selection] is selected it will swap or apply that new ownership to any object that can carry assignable data. Also, I find it very helpful to make a save immediately after make large edits like this.

Thanks guys, I didn't even think about the cell window....only been using the editor about 9 years lmao!