Currently, 'Column Type' can only be edited if it is not being used in a conditional formatting item. I understand there are probably computational limitations with the sheet trying to re-apply a format to an item type that no longer exists under a column that still exists (would probably crash/freeze), but the only workaround is to delete the entire conditional formatting, change the column type, then re-create the conditional formatting. If you're going from one data entry to the same exact data entry but under a different type, it would be helpful to only have to disable the conditional formatting. For example, in going from a dropdown selection of names to a contact list of names, the entry is the exact same and the conditional formatting should still apply.