A query generator for generating a query for retrieving data from a database comprising at least one table is disclosed. The query refers to one or more data items in a first view defined to expose a portion of the database and to one or more data items that are not exposed by the first view, at least one of which has an associated reach through flag set thereby defining it as a reach through item. The query generator is adapted to: receive user input indicating selected items to be retrieved from the database; ascertain whether any of the selected items that are not exposed by the first view are defined as reach through items; and, if so: create a second view that is a copy of the first view and add a copy of each reach through item to it; and create a query that refers only to the second view and the items exposed by it.