I just came across a job that fits this discussion perfectly- Got sent a DXF to cut out the shape, with holes...
There's 4 holes, and the outer cut, that's 5 objects. I grouped the whole graphic, and see the arrow, 100 objects!
So I clicked and moved a few pieces-- with the exception of
the actual circles, ALL pieces are disconnected!
So then I grouped the outer box and outlined it and moved it, did the same with the holes,
then grouped the new graphic. Note the arrow, only 5 objects