Yes, you do need the same number of columns.  And each column in Excel must match the data type in Access.  If Access thinks 2018 is text, you have to format the year column in Excel to be text, too.  Except for AutoNumbers, Never use numbers unless you intend to do math.  Year, zip, etc are text.  If you have Autonumber in Access, you need a number column in Excel.  Use any numbers you want in Excel's first column.  Access will ignore them but they are necessary for the paste.