Techniques and solutions are described for implementing virtual table schemas. A virtual table schema includes a logical pointer that is used to target a table that includes data and is defined according to the virtual table schema. Values assigned to the logical pointer can be used to target tables at different locations, such as in a federated database system or in a cache of a database management system of a central computing system. When data associated with the virtual table is requested, or prior to receiving the request, the data can be stored in a table in the cache. The logical pointer can be updated to reference the cache. If the cache is full, the table can be removed from the cache, and the logical pointer can be updated to reference a table at the federated database system.