Great news for users who hate the huge header at the top of messages in Outlook 2013's reading pane: the November updates for Outlook 2013 allows you to minimize the header block.
The old header looks like this:
The minimized header has a smaller contact photo and puts the sender and recipient's names and date together on the top line.
To minimize the header, click the chevron on the lower right side of the reading pane's header block (just above the scroll bar); click the chevron again to restore.
This update is included in the November 2013 automatic updates for Office 2013 Home Premium and all business suites. Check File, Office Account, Office Updates. This feature is available in the Outlook version is reported as 15.0.4551.1005 (for all versions, including Outlook RT).
Published November 18, 2013. Last updated on December 13, 2013.