diff --git a/plugin/makecols.vim b/plugin/makecols.vim
index ac550cb..0fed28b 100644
--- a/plugin/makecols.vim
+++ b/plugin/makecols.vim
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ function! s:convert_selection(selection)
     endfor
 
     let @z = join([new_string, ""], "\n")
-    return old_selection
+    return @z
 endfunction
 
 function! s:replace_selected_text()
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ function! s:makecols() range
         echo "You are in the right mode"
     endif
     let selection = s:get_visual_selection()
-    s:convert_selection(selection)
+    let converted_text = s:convert_selection(selection)
     return s:replace_selected_text()
 endfunction