diff --git a/plugin/makecols.vim b/plugin/makecols.vim
index 7b2d116..7aafbe2 100644
--- a/plugin/makecols.vim
+++ b/plugin/makecols.vim
@@ -13,14 +13,13 @@ function! s:get_visual_selection()
     let lines = getline(lnum1, lnum2)
     let lines[-1] = lines[-1][: col2 - (&selection == 'inclusive' ? 1 : 2)]
     let lines[0] = lines[0][col1 - 1:]
-    let @* = lines
+    let @* = join(lines, ", ")
+    execute lnum1 . "," . lnum2 . "delete"
     return lines
-    " return join(lines, "\n")
 endfunction
 
 function! s:replace_selected_text()
-    :'<,'>delete
-    normal! "*p
+    normal! \"*p
     echo "Just tried to replace the selection with the lines."
     return ""
 endfunction