Firstly, you should learn more about
- _TableCellRenderers_:
<http://java.sun.com/javase/6/docs/api/javax/swing/table/TableCellRenderer.html>
- _TableCellEditors_:
<http://java.sun.com/javase/6/docs/api/javax/swing/table/TableCellEditor.html>

As their names imply, the former are used to /render/ (viz. visualize) a
table's cell, and the latter are used when it comes to /editing/ that
cell (as opposed to your original post where you spoke only of editors).
The method these interfaces define get the coordinates of the cell to be
rendered/edited passed as arguments; and based on these you will be able
to return components according to your needs.

You most probably won't be able to use the DefaultCellRenderer for your
task.

I suggest you study the informations provided on this page:
<http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/uiswing/components/table.html>

A properly formulated google search will also be likely to yield further
help. Something like "java jtable custom renderer editor" (:scratch: did
I really have to specify that?)

df.

...

Thanks for clearing that up.

Here is a 'tabular' arrangement of questions and answers.

<sscce>
import java.awt.*;
import javax.swing.*;

class QuestionTable {

 public static Component getAnswerComponent(Object value) {
   if (value instanceof String) {
     return new JTextField((String)value, 20);
   } else if (value instanceof Boolean) {
     return new JCheckBox(
       "",
       ((Boolean) value).booleanValue());
   } else {
     Integer[] values = (Integer[])value;
     return new JComboBox(values);
   }
 }

 public static void main(String[] args)
 {
   final Object[][] data =
   {
     {
       "What is your name?",
       ""
     },
     {
       "What is the meaning of life?",
       new Integer[]
       {
         new Integer(21),
         new Integer(42),
         new Integer(63)
       },
     },
     {
       "Is this a table?",
       new Boolean(false)
     }
   };

   Runnable r = new Runnable() {
     public void run() {
       JPanel mainPanel =
         new JPanel( new BorderLayout(5,5) );
       JPanel questionPanel =
         new JPanel( new GridLayout(0,1,5,5) );
       JPanel answerPanel =
         new JPanel( new GridLayout(0,1,5,5) );
       mainPanel.add(
         questionPanel,
         BorderLayout.CENTER );
       mainPanel.add(
         answerPanel,
         BorderLayout.EAST );

       for (int ii=0; ii<data.length; ii++) {
         questionPanel.add(
           new JLabel((String)data[ii][0]) );
         answerPanel.add(
           getAnswerComponent( data[ii][1] ) );
       }

       JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(
         null,
         mainPanel,
         "Questionnare",
         JOptionPane.QUESTION_MESSAGE);
     }
   };
   EventQueue.invokeLater(r);
 }
}
</sscce>