Can I plot five different sets of values on the x-axis in excel charts?

I will agree with kersplash, it would be nice to have an idea of what you expect the chart to look like. What kersplash has done is basically chart the 5 data series against "month number" (you can see it in his chart if your format the horizontal axis to have a general number format). This makes sense, but it doesn't seem to fit the idea of charting against 5 different date series. If his chart is what you are after, then most of what I say here probably can be disregarded.

In my experience, having multiple sets of "x values" is fairly difficult with a line chart, but very easy using an XY scatter chart (both chart types can be formatted to display lines without markers). The only disadvantage that I see with an XY scatter chart is you won't have the nice "date axis" options that a line chart offers. If you can get by without the date axis, then the easiest would be to use an XY scatter chart.

If you decide that you must have the date axis, then I would do one of two things:
1) Build the chart with one data series as a line chart series and the other series as XY scatter chart. Format the primary and secondary horizontal axes so that they have the same min and max values/dates (you will need to figure out the serial numbers that correspond to the min and max dates you want to use for the axes). Format the primary and secondary vertical axes so they have the same min and max values as well. Then, if desired, hide (format as no line no label) the secondary axis system.
2) Arrange the data in the spreadsheet so that all 5 series can be plotted against one set of x values. The usually means a strategic use of formula induced "blanks" (see this essay: https://peltiertech.com/mind-the-gap...g-empty-cells/ ) and probably some other tricks to get the line chart to look right.

Help us understand exactly what you want the chart to look like, and we can help you put it together.

How does one build a chart with one data series as a line chart and the other as a XY scatter chart?

By selecting a data series and changing its chart type: https://support.office.com/en-us/art...F-DA021177452F note the two different parts to step 1.

It might be easier to create the chart as an XY scatter chart from the beginning, add all of the data series, then change one of the data series to a line chart type (rather than start with a line chart type and change 4 data series to XY scatter).

In what way? Can I assume you know where to find the format axis dialog (right click the desired axis and select "format axis")? Can I assume that your real question is how to determine the date serial number? I usually enter the date into a cell in Excel, then change the number format from whatever date format Excel defaults to to a "general" or "fixed" number format. Doing this, I can see that January 1 2014 is serial number 41640 and September 1 2018 is 43344 (review something like this if you are unfamiliar with how Excel stores dates and times: http://www.cpearson.com/Excel/datetime.htm ).

I'm not sure I understand what you have now. Can you upload a new sample?

Please note I am using ranges rather than single dates e.g. Jan 14 - Jun 14, Jul 14 - Dec 14 and so on.

Are you saying that your dates for the date axis are not really dates but text strings? A scatter chart overlays on a text/category axis differently. We need to be clear on exactly what you are trying to use for your x axis data. Your first sample showed dates as date serial numbers, your second sample did not show dates. We need to a good sample of your data (suitably anonymized) in order to understand exactly what you are trying to do.

What I had in mind was starting from the sample in post #3 where you had real dates for the x axis data. The steps I took:

1) Select the Brisbane data (B3:H4) and insert scatter chart.
2) Bring up the select data dialog and add the data series for the other cities.

At this point, you should have a chart with all of the data plotted according to date (including year, so Brisbane's data,which is all 2014 will be to the left of the other cities which are different years). It should be real close to what I think you are trying to do, and you may not need to do anything more. If you are confused by the whole scatter+line combination chart, it will probably be easiest to just stop here.

3) If you really want the date axis, select the Brisbane data series and change the chart type of this data series to line. See if that is better.

Is that close to what you want?